200th Anniversary of Battle of New Orleans celebrated at Chalmette Battlefield

The Chalmette Monument is seen in the background as participants gather before the ceremony marking the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans in Chalmette.	Attendees rise at the start of the ceremony.
An artillery battery at the ceremony.	Costumed participants stand with their firearms during the ceremony.

Sir Peter Westmacott, Ambassador to the United States from the United Kingdom,, took part in a wreath-laying during the ceremony.

A commemorative stamp of the Battle of New Orleans was unveiled by the Postal Service.

They were bundled up but low temperatures didn’t prevent a large crowd from turning out to witness history on Thursday, Jan. 8, as the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans was celebrated at Chalmette Battlefield.

British Ambassador to the United States Sir Peter Westmacott took part in wreath-laying ceremonies. Numerous others also participated, from Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Parish President David Peralta to Postal Service representatives unveiling a commemorative stamp to mark the anniversary were on hand.

They remembered the landmark battle in the swamp of Chalmette at which a grouo of Americans made up of militia, free men of color, slaves, buccaneers, Indians and whoever else could be pressed into service – commanded by Andrew Jackson – defeated a hardened band of British invaders.

The theme was two great powers emerged from that War of 1812 who have been friends and allies ever since.

More than 11,000 Louisiana residents now work for companies based in the United Kingdom, Westmacott said.

The celebration at the battlefield was only a small portion of the events being held to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans,

Events including lectures about the battle and its strategies, re-enactments of engagements leading up to the main battle and other activities were also held.