On this day in 1718, the city of New Orleans was founded by French colonists. It was the territorial capital of French Louisiana before it became part of the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. By 1840, New Orleans was the 3rd most populous city in the United States. It’s world-famous for the many architectural styles that reflect the city’s multicultural heritage. New Orleans has 20 historic districts on the National Register, more than any other city in the country. The food in New Orleans may be the most distinctively recognized regional cuisine in the U.S. Some of the dishes invented there include po’ boys, muffuletta, oysters Rockefeller, and bananas Foster. Music is an important part of the city’s history too. It was the site of the first Opera house in the country, and it is considered to be the birthplace of jazz. Learn more here.