You can visit the site of this great battle, fought on January 8, 1815 - The Battle of New Orleans, at the National Historical Park - Chalmette Battlefield, about 5 miles from the French Quarter. While the War of 1812 had ended with a treaty signed in 1814, it had not yet been ratified or communicated to the troops, and this resounding American victory at the Battle of New Orleans became a symbol of a new idea: American democracy triumphing over the old European ideas of aristocracy and entitlement. General Andrew Jackson's hastily assembled army, by many accounts, a motley assortment of militia, frontiersmen, slaves and Indians and pirates, had won the day against a battle-hardened and numerically superior British force. Americans took great pride in the victory and for decades celebrated January 8 as a national holiday, just like the Fourth of July.

The anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans is commemorated every January on the weekend closest to the battle. History truly comes to life when over 100 living history experts, dressed as 1815 troops and civilians, set up camp at the site of the battle.