LOUISIANA STATEHOOD CENTENNIAL
1912
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Purpose: To celebrate 100th anniversary of Statehood and ‘to
preserve in fitting form a memorial to the history of the state; to foster
among the people a pride in that history."
Organization: Idea conceived 1909 by Louisiana
Historical Society; General Assembly (legislature) Act of 1910 authorized
Society to stage celebration in New Orleans, first state capital;
appropriated $500. Act provided that Federal cooperation be requested; that
other states and territories, Great Britain, France, Spain and 20 other
American republics be invited to participate. Board of Liquidation granted
$5,000; city $500; additional contributions by city Credit Men's
Association, Board of Trade, Mississippi Packet Co., River Pilots'
Association and many private citizens.
Site, Date: Main celebration in New Orleans, April 30, 1912, but
governor asked all Louisianans to observe anniversary; declared school
holiday and suspended state business "so far as compatible with public
affairs."
Comment: Celebration consisted mainly of
military and civic parade and oratory; in attendance were U.S. Secretary of
State Knox, Governors of Alaska and Mississippi and diplomats from 9
European and Central American countries. Ceremonies held at Cabildo,
Presbytery and state museum buildings; children's program in Jackson Square;
banquet at Grunewald Hotel. Important feature was formal opening of State
Museum of History and Commerce.
Medal: This was Official Medal; designer and
number struck unknown.
 
Obv. Pelican feeding its young; below, in
streamer Non Sibi Sed Suis (one of state's mottos; translation: "Not
for himself but for others"); above, around Centennial of Louisiana
Statehood; below, around 1812--April 30--1912
Rev. Relief map of Louisiana; across, in curved
line Louisiana; location of New Orleans marked New Orleans
HK-396 Bronze, scalloped edge. 38mm.
|
