Transcripts For CSPAN3 Battle Of New Orleans Bicentennial 20150202

Six years of surface prosperity and government corruption caused oppression and led to explosive discontent. Now batista has fled. A new leader is on the scene fidel castro. In many ways, and an unknown quality, but certain to be dominant in cubas new era, just begun. Next, a ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of the battle of new orleans, one of the biggest battles in the war of 1812, fought after the treaty was signed in 1814, the battle of new orleans launched Andrew Jackson to fame. This event is about 90 minutes. Welcome to the battlefield where critical events in United States history took place 200 years ago today. I am Gwen Thompkins and i am honored to emcee this bicentennial commemoration ceremony. Like many schoolchildren in this area, i first learned about the battle of new orleans on a class trip. Right here where the action took place. I remember the day fondly because back then, it was warmer than it is today. Much warmer. No contest. But the impression that stayed with me as a child and remains with me now is that two nations can go to war and later become not just allies, but the best of allies. That is a terrific achievement in World History worth commemorating every year. It is also a great lesson in what peace can look like when adversaries lay down their arms. Each of you has your own special connection to the battlefield. And like me, you contribute to the storylines that are constantly unfolding from this place. Stories that arc through adversity and toward a greater good. 200 years ago, residents of the city of new orleans, men fighting with general Andrew Jacksons forces and the nuns of the convent spent the night , before the decisive battle in prayer. Since then, the nuns have continued giving thanks each year to our lady for the successful defense of the city. Sister rosemary joins us now to deliver an invocation. Please help me welcome her. [applause] as a member of the community in new orleans, i feel privileged to give this invocation on such an historic anniversary. The sisters played a major role in the success of the battle of new orleans. They, together with the mothers, wives, sisters, sweethearts, and friends of the american fighters gathered in the chapel in the convent in the french quarter. They prayed throughout the night for an american victory. On the morning of january 8, 1815, a courier rushed in to announce, victory is ours. After the battle, Andrew Jackson came to the convent to thank the nuns for their prayers. He is quoted as saying, by the blessing of heaven, one of the most brilliant victories was obtained. Jackson also requested to order a service of public thanksgiving in token of the great assistance we have received from the ruler of all events. On that memorable day of january 8, 1815, a valve was made by one a bvow was made by one of the sisters that if the americans were victorious, a massive thanksgiving would be celebrated in our chapel followed by the singing of the churchs hymn of thanksgiving to god. From that day to the present this solemn promise has been kept. Today, the massive thanksgiving and the seeming the mesh the singing and the singing will take place beginning at 4 00 this afternoon in the shrine on state street. At this time, let us pause to give praise to almighty god and to pray for all those who suffered through this battle. Almighty god, creator of all, we give praise and honor to you and we thank you for life and freedom. Today we realize that our freedom comes with a price, a price that has been paid for by the lives of brave women and men throughout the centuries. We pray for all those who lost their lives in this battle, both american and british, and we are grateful for their sacrifice. We ask the ruler of all events to be with us today and in the future that we will continue to honor you, our creator, and we will continue to pursue a muchneeded peace in our world. We pray for that peace of jerusalem, our world, that all nations will prosper as one, that peace will reign among all people and integrity dwell within the hearts of every person. Then will friends and neighbors and former enemies cry out as one, peace be within your walls and security within your towers. For the sake of the house of the lord our god, we will seek your good. Amen. You may be seated. For decades, local and National Organizations have maintained a solemn tradition here. Each year, on january 8, reefs wreaths are presented in memory of the bravery 200 years ago on the battlefield. This tradition continues. The first recognize state militias that supported the United States federal army during the war. They were antecedents to todays National Guard. Four state militias converged in unity here. The Kentucky National guard the louisiana National Guard the mississippi National Guard and the tennessee National Guard native americans fought in major battles of the war of 1812 from ontario down to the gulf of mexico. Ian thompson is here to present a wreath honoring the ancestors of the choctaw nation. The band of choctaw indians and the mississippi band of choctaw indians. Untrained volunteers also fought on this battlefield alongside the federal army. State militia, native americans, and British Forces. The combatants on both sides represented a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds stretching across the atlantic by way of the caribbean. Here to recognize the contributions of the citizens are the National Society United States daughters of 1812 virginia apiar, National President Patricia Gallagher , Louisiana Society president , and john williams. Local chapter president. General society of the war of 1812, tom jacks, president. Daughters of the british empire, jane caruso, Louisiana Society president. Ike edwards and Gregory Osborne orare direct descendents of a free man of color who fought in the battle. They are joined by beverly mckenna, dolores, barbara trevine, and elizabeth rhodes, curators, educators, and volunteers. Kathy jackson is president and founder of the river road africanamerican museum. Mr. Al jackson is the founder of the historic treme collection. Together they are presenting a wreath in honor of the afrocaribbean men who labored and fought on the battlefield. The battle was critical for the then threeyearold state of louisiana. The sevenyearold st. Bernard parish and the city of new orleans, which back then, was still acclimating to the idea of being an american city. Today, representatives of these three local government pay tribute to the men, women, and merchants and laborers whose efforts helped win the day and who rebuilt the region after the war. They are the louisiana battle of new orleans bicentennial commission, the city of new orleans, and st. Bernard parish. Recognizing our roots in the is a National Park Service Program featuring High School Students from st. Bernard parish and the city of new orleans. Their wreath is in honor of the young people who will Carry Forward louisianas historical and Cultural Heritage. The British Embassy for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is presenting a brief wreath in honor of the continuing friendship and alliance between Great Britain and United States. His excellency sir peter ambassador of Great Britain, will receive the wreath. The National Park service is presenting a wreath on behalf of the United States of america as a symbol of goodwill, peace, and solidarity with Great Britain. Superintendent lance hatton will receive the wreath. As sir peter and the superintendent place the final wreaths, lets give this is group of esteemed individuals and organizations a round of applause. [applause] thank you. You may now take your seats. Sean joins us now, Deputy Director of the Southeast Regional office of the National Park service. His remarks will be immediately followed by the presentation of colors and the National Anthem of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of america. Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. On behalf of the interior secretary and National Park service director, i welcome all. To the battlefield and National Cemetery where today we commemorate the battle of new orleans bicentennial. The american victory over British Forces announced to the world that the young nation was up to the task of defending our shores. It was reassured americans that we could confidently provide for our own defense. We learned our diversity is our strength. The victory provided the linchpin for future growth and extended the United States to the shores of what became the states of california oregon, and washington. Today begins a weekend of tribute and celebration. Allow me to think the mayor and the last to thank allow me to thank the mayor and parish president for supporting the battle of new orleans bicentennial. I also want to thank the ursuline sisters for their prayer and support and what a lovely invocation. We appreciate the Strong Spiritual foundation you provide the community. Many deserve praise for this event. Thank you to the United States Postal Service. They will pay tribute to the battle of new orleans with the new commemorative stamp. We stand in the shadow of the monument, a generous gift bestowed to the grateful nation by the daughters of 1812. They are this sites first partners. The daughters remain steadfast supporters of the fallen soldiers. By deepening awareness of the war of 1812 for their commitment through their generous donations, commitment, and hard work. Lets give them a round of applause. [applause] the people of louisiana have dedicated themselves to todays celebration recognizing the importance of the battle of new orleans bicentennial, a commission was established to educate residents and to support activities that honor our debt to the past. The commission presented a proposal for a new memorial, the passage of unity. Later, we will unveil the concept design. Lieutenant governor and chair commissioner thank you for your , commitment to this. The National Park service respects the boldness of the visionary design. Please join me in applauding them. [applause] every day, the United States and United Kingdoms flags decorate this landscape. The symbol of grief it symbolizes our grief and embodies our respect for the armed forces and celebrates a lasting peace. They salute the bravery commemorate today. To honor these national flags, i ask you to please stand for the presentation of colors. Remain standing through the National Anthems. The National Anthems of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be performed by the u. S. Marine corps ceremonial band. The National Anthem of the United States will be performed by act ii. This will be followed by a musket salute. [National Anthem] gave proof through the night that our flag was still there o say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave you may be seated. Let us thank the United States marine corps ceremonial band as they take their exit. [applause] and may i say, an excellent version of house of the rising sun. [laughter] thank you, sir. The city of new orleans and st. Bernard parish share many Common Threads in history as geographic neighbors and centers of louisianas rich cultural landscape. Please welcome to the podium new orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu followed by st. Bernard parish president david peralta. Good morning. My introduction to this battle and moment in history came from my mother, who was raised by the ursulines. A day did not go by she did not remind me that it was the ursuline nuns who secured the freedom for the United States of america. Sister, thank you, we will see you this afternoon. Welcome to everybody. Lieutenant governor, thank you so much for organizing this event. Thank you for being with us today. And of course, all of the volunteers with us. As we stand on this sacred soil in the shadow of the American Flag and in the shadow of that lonely tree, your mind can take you back quickly to the day that so many men and women on this battlefield gave up their lives in pursuit of freedom and liberty. Many people talk about that day because it really did secure the future of the United States of america in ways that may be some americans dont understand. As new orleans in this entire region stand shoulder to shoulder, being a symbol of resilience, postkatrina, this area of the country has been so important to its past and will be important to its future. As we commemorate the lives that were lost in honor of all of the men and women in the military that have fought so hard, we always realize freedom is not free. Not here or on distant shores. As we remember the past, it is also important to think about the future. As was stated earlier, although america won that particular battle, shortly thereafter, we began to stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends in the United Kingdom and have since that time been allies. From that moment into the future as we together protect not only our homelands, but this world from tyranny. The terrorist attacks in paris indicate that we are all under threat, and we have not had a better ally than the United Kingdom. And this battle not only reflects what we have done in pursuit of freedom and liberty here, but what we have done together. We have shown the world what it looks like when people come together in common purpose. As the fight for freedom and liberty goes on, we will have to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder. We thank those people who began it so long ago. Thank you so very much and have a wonderful day. [applause] good morning. I had to change my speech this morning because i wanted to present you with a warm welcome to st. Bernard parish. [laughter] didnt quite work. The mayor and i talked and now realize our executive authority does not extend to mother nature. On behalf of the people of st. Bernard, i would like to extend a welcome to all of the visiting dignitaries, state and local officials, and visitors from around the world to be here on this very special day. 200 years ago, the planes back with volunteers from kentucky and tennessee and a french, spanish, and african population who courageously defined the country they were not born in but adopted them via the louisiana purchase. The transforms our nation and americas relationship with fellow countries. As president of st. Bernard parish it is an honor to host this event. Since 2012 my administration has worked with our workers the National Park service, the state of louisiana, the will Louisiana Living History Foundation and many other groups that help reduce a commemoration that brings attention to this consequential battle and honor those who fought here. Thank you for being here at st. Bernard today. Thank you. Thank you, parish president peralta and mayor landrieu. The United States Postal Service has issued three postage stamps to commemorate the war of 1812. The stamps depict the nations sacred landscapes, national flag, and vivid images conjured by the u. S. National anthem. Here today with a special announcement is peter argentine, Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee member and district manager of louisiana, representing the United States Postal Service. Please welcome mr. Argentine. [applause] thank you. I am not the district manager, though. I have to say that. I am from pittsburgh, though where it is 11 degrees today. I did not bring the cold, but it is warm here. This is a great turnout, and such a beautiful day. Unfortunately, the Postal Service governor, who had planned to dedicate todays stamp, could not be with us this morning. And i know it is a really huge disappointment to him. Remarkably, he has a very personal affection for the stamp, since is great, great grandfather fought in the war of 1812 with the 10th u. S. Infantry. So i am sure he is sorry he cannot be here. However, i am very honored to be here representing the u. S. Postal service and the Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee as we conclude our bicentennial commemoration of the war of 1812. The conflict has been referred to as our countrys second war of independence. It is a great personal honor for me to be at the sight of this battle, as i was here five years ago filming reenactments for the newly restored Battlefield Visitor Center behind us. And i have to say it was equally cold that day. So i think it gives us all a great appreciation for one of the many obstacles the british faced. I also want to thank a number of the reenactors who are here, who helped us out that day. I think the reenactors do a tremendous job, so thanks to all of them. [applause] as every stamp collector knows the Postal Service commemorative Stamp Program focus National Focuses National Attention on great moments in American History. By portraying achievements and ideals, stamps acknowledge heroes and bring historical subjects to life. That is certainly true of our newest stamp, which commemorates the last great battle of the 2. 5 year war with great written, a key moment in defining our nation. With Great Britain, a key moment defining our nation. The country was under siege with its white house burned. The American Economy would be crippled if the port was captured. Jackson, leading a small number of u. S. Troops as well as the men of color, creole volunteers, choctaw indians, and privateers was outnumbered by a british professional military force. It was wonderful to see the reef Commemoration Service with all those parties reflected. Against all odds, this Diverse Force united to defeat one of the most revered military powers in a decisive battle. While this climactic battle was fought after american and british negotiators had concluded a peace treaty in belgium on Christmas Eve in 1814, the treaty had not yet been ratified, so much was still at stake. In holding the british plans to attack new orleans, halting plans to attack new orleans, jackson established himself as a military hero, giving himself a National Recognition he would need to become the seventh president of the United States. As youll see in a moment, and our director and designer did a truly spectacular job of capturing what historian Donald Hickey characterized as one of the most stunning battlefield triumphs in American History. I am sorry. My lips are starting to freeze up a little. Using mixedmedia, the stamp artist depicted the american troops and artillery repelling British Forces from behind a milelong defense earthwork known as jacksons line. On the reverse of the stamp, there is a portrait of jackson and his military uniform painted by an american artist in 1825. So now, without further redo, i would like to ask our special guest to join me on the stage as we dedicate the battle of new orleans commemorative forever stamp. [applause] thank you, mr. Argentine. She is a beauty. Interpreting the natural and Cultural Heritage of the United States is a key mission of the National Park service. It is with this goal in mind that the park service commissioned an original composition that musically interprets aspects of the battle of new orleans. The resolution of the war. And the lasting Alliance Forged by the United States and Great Britain. Funded by the Lower Mississippi river delta initiative, the piece is titled score for unity. Today, selections will be performed publicly for the first time. Please welcome composer Michael Reiner and the new York New Orleans center for Creative Arts jazz ensemble, as they perform excerpts entitled Andrew Jackson, hero of new orleans, day of wrath, war no more, and unity theme. [applause] [applause] [laughter] michael other Michael Reiner and the complete composition entitled score for unity. It will premiere in new orleans in navy week in april. Thank you again. [applause] that will put warmth in your heart, wont it . More than 50 years ago, the state of louisiana formed a commission to work with the National Parks service to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the battle of new orleans. So much of the landscape we see today was shaped by that commission, and with similar foresight, louisiana formed a bicentennial commission. Here to talk about the goals and outcomes of this group is the louisiana lieutenant governor, and the chairman of the louisiana battle of new orleans bicentennial commission. Please help me welcome them. [applause] thank you. There is a certain peace and tranquility, and even beauty, to a Hallowed Ground like this. Those beautiful musical sounds would have been drowned out 200 years ago by cries of anguish and pain, the sound of gunfire and cannon fire, as those brave louisianans manned these ramparts and repelled the mighty british army. We remember this as a place of blood and battle, but more importantly, a place of reconciliation and unity. It is with that goal in mind that the bicentennial commission took on the challenge of making certain that from this day forward, louisianians remember the significance of this battle in the state of louisiana and the United States of america but also in the context that it ended the hostility between these great nations, and forged a friendship that has survived for decades since, and will no doubt survive for decades in the future. The commission chaired by former congressman hansen moore came up with a tremendous idea to create a remembrance of this great forging a friendship, and i am going to let congressman moore tell you some of the details. I want to thank the park service for their commitment and shared vision and making sure the residence of the future can recognize the great friendship that began when arms were laid down 200 years ago. There is a great exhibit i hope youll all get to enjoy. The actual coat that general Andrew Jackson wore on these ramparts 200 years ago, that left louisiana when general jackson did, comes back to our state for the first time. It belongs to the smithsonian institute. That jacket is on loan at the museum, and pays a wonderful tribute to the battle of new orleans and the history that the load. So thanks to all of you for braving the weather to be with us on this significant and solemn occasion, as we think more on the future than we reflect in the past. We want to tell you more about the specifics of what we hope will be a reality in the next 14 years or so. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, when the legislator created the bicentennial commission, it had the foresight to provide no money and no staff, but a lot of instructions, so that has been a perfect relationship. Jade garden has been the one strong jay has been a strong ally in our work. He has made calls with me, looking for funding. He has done a great job, and we sincerely appreciate it. The commission are all volunteers. They do not even get expenses reimbursed. The vice chairman elizabeth mcdougall, please stand. Mick, mike, and, bill, dr. Gary joyner, mark, bill shoots, roger valerie, mark, and miss hank braden i thank my colleagues for the work they have done. We have been at it for almost four years, and we have one more year to go. In working, we have had one parttime assistant that came out of jadys office. Julie has been our right hand in helping with us. Working with the park service, we decided to put three legacies of the landscape that we hope to accomplish in this next year perhaps a little beyond, here on the battlefield itself. The first is working on an exhibit and a plaque naming the actual americans who were killed in action or who died of their wounds in this battle. We have been getting the help from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs in that regard. It is a tough job to do that research and put it together but we think it can be done. We intend to put one or more battle flags on the ramparts behind you, that were there on the day of the battle, flying the famous 15 star flag that we fly once a year here, the big one, but every day, so the soldiers behind those battlements knew where those lines were. It will add color, history, and realism to the jackson line. In that, we ask the daughters of the society of 1812 to take that project on, and they have done it. You want to get something important done, you ask women to do it. I did, and they did. Pat gallagher has taken the lead in the society and come up with that. We thank you very much for that great work. Today, we want to announce a transformational project for this park. Back behind me on the righthand side, the south side of the visitors center, are plaques showing you what it will look like. It is going to be in that one line back when you come in behind you. On the day of the battle, that was part of the battlefield. The major and final thrust of the battle took place in that would line, and that is where to british generals, including the famous general packet ham, lately died leading his general packenham, bravely died leading his troops. There will be a unity bridge over the rodriguez canal, ending up in a garden on this side of the canal, celebrating the 200 Year Alliance between ourselves, Great Britain, ourselves and Great Britain, that was born on that field of battle today. This project has been two years in the designing, the planning. The college of art and design conducted a National Design competition, led by dr. Late douglas of new orleans. The Design Competition was was made possible by a generous grant from James J Coleman which collected the Design Workshop team to design this memorial. That firm prepared a conceptual design which was approved by the Development Advisory board of the National Park service in july of this year. The partnership is now in place. Due to a grant from a louisiana historical legacy, we now have the funds to draw the construction plans, and that is now underway, to begin to build the plans to construct this project. We now want to unveil for you the rendering by this divine Design Workshop of what the Alliance Garden will look like. I would like to ask the British Ambassador and parks supervisor to unveil a design for the garden which is phase one of the memorial. General . Thank you very much. This is going to be a monument like no other. It is going to signify something very important to citizens today, not just what happened here 200 years ago. I would also like to announce that mr. Coleman has agreed to raise the funds to finish constructing this memorial. Jimmy, please stand. Thank you for your willingness to do this. If you can see jimmy or myself we will be happy to talk to you about how you can help. When you go to baltimore, you go to fork mchenry. When you come to new orleans you come to show met. You come here. This is a memorial which is long overdue. It will significantly add to the value of this National Park. For history past, history present, and history future, thank you. [applause] i think it is here. I am honored to have the privilege to introduce to you her britannic majestys ambassador to the United States of america, sir peter weston cop westoncott. He has had previous tours as a British Ambassador to france and British Ambassador to turkey. Born in the village of eddington, somerset, in the southwest of england, sir peter has helped of the British Diplomatic Service in posts across the globe. Please welcome him. [applause] thank you for that kind introduction. Lieutenant governor mr. Mayor, mr. Landrieu, friends from americas wonderful National Park service, thank you for making this possible. Thank you for braving the cold on this nice english morning. A reminder of what the temperature is normally like in new orleans. I was lucky enough to be here a year ago, when the wonderful jimmy coleman, the honorary British Consul for almost 40 years, came here and looked at the possibilities, and learned about the great plans for creating the unity bridge, Alliance Garden, and it hitting memorial to the last rattle of the last war, where the brits and americans were not on the same side. Here we are, one year on. It is happening. Our friends from at T Randall Stephenson made a contribution. Even the British Government is making a substantial contribution. I contain you that is pretty rare, especially at times of fiscal constraint. It is an indication of the importance we all take in this wonderful project, and how proud we are to be associated with it. As we commemorate 200 years on the great military victory, the Great British defeat, as we have heard i do not think we need to go into the details anymore. You know roughly what happened. There were extraordinary acts of heroism on both sides, and we salute the way in which those soldiers fought bravely for what they believed in. More importantly, what we are doing with this project is laying the foundation of a memorial which does mark the start of an alliance and partnership, one of the strongest and most effective friendships and military partnerships i think the world has known. 200 years on, even today, there are thousands of british and american soldiers still in iraq, still in afghanistan, countering terrorism, trying to give those countries a better chance for the future. That is an indication of what we do day in and day out. The number of soldiers and sailors embedded in our respected armed forces is an indication of how closely the british and American Armed Services Work together for shared values and shared interests. It is something very special. It started here 200 years ago. I am confident it will go on for many years to come. I confess there are moments when i say i am looking forward to the end of the 200th anniversaries of the war of 1812. I have been to baltimore. Down here. Last month, i had the privilege of taking prince william, his highness the duke of cambridge to visit the white house. He saw the president and vice president. We went down to the kitchen. The duke had an impromptu meeting with the kitchen staff. I looked over my shoulder at the blackened gateway to the entrance to the kitchen. I thought, that is where the chip pan last caught fire. Actually, it was not. Those are the traces they have deliberately left of what happened when the red totes burn down the white house 200 years ago. So you cannot even go on a white house tour as a British Ambassador and not be reminded of what happened 200 years ago. So i am beginning to think it will be fun to look forward to five months time, when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of another battle, which was actually defining in terms of the future of european history the battle of waterloo, when we turned out to be on the right side. We are looking forward to finding ways of commemorating that with our french friends. This is actually a time when there are lots of other celebrations and anniversaries which are important. This month is the 50th anniversary of the death of a wonderful Anglo American perhaps the greatest ever, winston churchill. I am going to fulton, missouri where he made an important and farsighted speech warning about the iron curtain, warning there was a cold war coming. He is going to be very much, i think, in our minds later this month. This is also the 800th anniversary of the signing of the magna carta, one of the earliest bills of rights perhaps the first time a monarch was told he did not have absolute authority over his subjects, and a document which is often better understood better taught, in american schools than in the United Kingdom. We are thrilled that over the last three months, we have had two of the remaining copies of the esteemed magna carta on show in the United States. One was in houston, texas. The other is still at the library of congress in washington. That is a reminder of how we have shared values. Along with the bill of rights, along with the magna carta, we have a shared inheritance of the things that matter, in terms of the ability of individuals to be themselves, to be free subjects, and not to be the victims of tyranny. Those are important anniversaries coming along, and they are part of a relationship which is not just important in the context of the military alliance i touched on just now not just important in terms of shared history, values, and heritage, but the way in which we stand together, finding against terrorism, cyber attacks, and other threats to our security and values, but also the way in which in business, politics, culture, watching each Others Television and movies, brits and americans remain closely allied. We are the biggest Foreign Investors in this country. You are the biggest Foreign Investors in the United Kingdom. One million jobs in america depend on British Companies and british investments. One million jobs in my country depend on u. S. Investments. Between us, we have the top 10 universities in the world. 17 of the 20 best universities. 50,000 Young Americans every year ago to study at british universities, and proportionately about as many british students come here. There is a depth of relationship, partnership, which forms during young adulthood and which last right to the end of peoples careers, which is very remarkable, and which we work hard to preserve with other roads and gates, and other fulbright schemes which keep us working together. In business, in politics, in academic, in foreign policy, we are trying to keep the world a safe place. We are kind to keep our country more prosperous and more stable. We continue to be the closest possible allies. It goes back to what happened here 200 years ago. We are very proud of it. I am very proud to be here. I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to share in this historic moment. I look forward to coming back when unity bridge and Alliance Garden are a reality. Thank you. [applause] thank you, sir peter. We now turn to lance hadden, superintendent of sean lafitte jean lafitte National Park, and the new orleans Jazz National historical park. Please welcome superintendent hadden. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests ambassador, the opportunity to offer remarks on this extraordinary day humbles me. Thank you to the National Park service employees, who welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to this battlefield and other National Park Service Sites throughout the state of louisiana every day. You have worked hard with our partners, our friends, our volunteers. It made todays event possible. I also want to thank senator david fitter, a friend of the National Park service. We have spoken about the new memorial that had been presented to the National Park service by the battle for new orleans bicentennial commission. One of the special announcements i would like to make to you this morning is that our National Park Service Directors director has approved the placement of the passage to unity on the battlefield. That is something to celebrate. [applause] 200 years ago, hundreds of civilians came from all over the southeast to join men from the u. S. Army, navy, marines, and artillery corps, ready to defend the young city of an even younger nation from an old foe. The american troops and the men and women who supported them represented the United States of their day. Every race. Every religion. Every social class. Free and enslaved americans, immigrants, and choctaw engines indians all collaborated to bring about the unexpected american victory. Today, we pause to commemorate their sacrifice. Two grateful nations Andrew Jacksons enterprising genius, and sir edward packet ham packenhams gallant [indiscernible] we acknowledge the people who lived, loved, and died on this grassy field. Those two easily we forget native people who lived here for centuries because of the mississippi rivers fertile soil, immigrants from france spain, and other countries that love this land too. They came here and made it their home. There were many others, of course, who over time have made the battlefield a special place. Many we need to acknowledge this morning as we celebrate the bicentennial of the battle of new orleans. We need to acknowledge the people who shaped the blend of new orleans culture that continues to make it exceptional, the american plantation owners and their families who lived and vacation here at the house behind us. There they celebrated birthdays, marriages, and christmases. We also need to acknowledge the spirit of africanamerican slaves who, often miserable, yet self dignified, inhabited this open field. In their lifetime, the slaves that labored on this plantation would come to also know it as a battlefield. This battlefield is indeed a special place. And when it was attacked everyone in this Community Rose in its defense. Another group of people who lived here, from 18671964 where the residents of a town on the strip of land that bisected the National Cemetery and this battlefield. They named their church battleground baptist church, which still stands in the lower ninth ward, on flood street. What brings us here today . Why do we gather in tribute to a bloody day of intense violence 200 years ago . What makes this place special . What defines it as a National Park, one of the 401 special places setaside so that people from throughout the world and americans can join in understanding what makes our Country Special . What moments defined our history, and made us great . We need to understand the powerful story that undergirds the battlefield. People that fought here 200 years ago gave force to a powerful narrative, by their sacrifice that abides. Today, we pause to reflect on the outburst 200 years ago. We want to understand what makes this place special. When we cause to think about it, we understand that what defines this place is courage. The courage demonstrated by war heroes like Andrew Jackson, by jordan noble, by british generals, and the deeper valley, expressed by everyday people the troops on both sides. Their courage overcame differences in language, culture, gender, and politics. The courage to say, i am worried. I need help. I dont feel safe. I am hungry. I am cold. I miss my family. I feel alone and tired. Wartime realities, experienced by the troops that shed blood on this soil. In the battle intensity, courage united troops in combat and has found our nation in peace. Because of their courage, we are friends. Because of their courage, we are neighbors, and we are americans. The extraordinary courage experienced a thousand times over in personal connections to the battlefield, on january 8, 1815 today, that courage survives. It is in all of us. It is what brings us together and what makes us recognize the valor demonstrated here on january 8 team. January 8. It is a proud moment for us to come together to acknowledge the special friendship that was created by the sacrifice of the thousands of people who perished, the relationship we have with the United Kingdom. Today, i think each and every one of you for coming out, to recognize that this day is important to our community. This day is important to the United States. And this day remains important to the United Kingdom. Thank you very much. [applause] thank you, superintendent hadden. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome at two. They are going to be performing a selection for us. As they gather, i should mention a Public Service announcement. God bless you for sitting out there and braving these elements. I should mention, though, that you are probably not freezing to death. You may feel cold, but you are not freezing to death. The signs would be that you would feel irrationally warm suddenly. You would feel irrationally at peace. Most people who freeze to death ultimately take off their clothes, because they believe they are just feeling fine. So if you are somewhat miserable, somewhat unhappy, and you feel that you do not feel fine, you are just fine. You are great, in fact. You are ahead of the game. If asked two is here they are here. They are going to be performing for us. He has got the whole world in his hands. Hes got the whole world in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands hes got the whole world in his hand. Hes got the woods and the waters in his hands hes got the woods in the waters in his hands hes got the woods and the waters in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands hes got the birds and the bees in his hand hes got the birds and the bees right in his hands his gut the birds and the bees right in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands hes got the sun and the moon rise in his hands hes got the sun and the moon rise in his hands hes got the sun and the moon rise in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands hes got it all in his hands hes got it all in his hands hes got everybody in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands hes got you and me right in his hands hes got you and me right in his hands hes got you and me everybody in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands hes got the whole world in his hands [applause] as we move toward the closing of this program, let us welcome cultural anthropologist angela penn yet for a moment of remembrance, followed by taps, and artillery salute that will bring this to hundred commemoration to a close. Please welcome allison penn yet pena. Thank you, gwynn. This will be a hard act to follow after that wonderful singing of act two. It is indeed a great privilege to stand before you as we conclude our 200th commemorative ceremony this morning, but i would like us all, for just one more moment, to pause for a moment of quiet reflection. Let me again set the stage for you, to refresh your memories on the night before the battle of new orleans. In the small st. Marys chapel in the old ursuline convent, it is quiet. Only the murmur of prayer can be heard, in the dim, candlelit chapel, filled with nuns, women, children, and old men. Their prayers to our lady have been continuous. 24 hours a day since the invasion of the british troops the prayers ask for a quick victory over the british, and for the protection of our land of new orleans, our battlefield, against invasion. In the year after the battle and for many years since president jacksons trips to new orleans always concluded with a visit to the ursuline convent. And every year since 1815, a solid promise, we have been told, has been kept to honor our lady, in a mass of thanksgiving on january 8. This promise has been capped without fail, for these many years. The National Park service, as stewards of this sacred land keeps the promise of preserving this and many landscapes across america that tell our nation process story. These are places that remind us of who we are, of the sacrifices that others have made and the purpose that we all have in passing this knowledge to future generations. [applause] please rise. [playing taps] this concludes our ceremony. Thank you so much for coming and have a wonderful day. Keep your clothes on. [laughter] thank you so much. Thank you. Wonderful to see you. Thank you. [laughter] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2015] you are watching American History tv. Each week, American History tvs american artifex visits these ends and historic places. Founded in 1923, the museum of the city of new yorks collection contains nearly 750,000 objects. We visited to learn about the exhibit, gilded new york. I am one of the cocurators of gilded new york, being shown at the museum of the city of new york. The show opened in november of 2013 and closes in october of 2014. Theres lots of time to come and see the show. In this beautiful jewel box of a gallery, we have assembled a variety of objects that help the public to appreciate what life was like for the 1 in the original gilded age that followed the civil war from the 1880s through about 1910. That period was characterized by great wealth. In those days, the money came from various industries, mining, railroads, smelting iron, and also the rise of the modern corporation. All of those businesses yielded enormous wealth at the same time there was mass immigration, a time when new york was unified and the total population was over 3. 5 million people. With that mixture of people, the lower classes, the rising upper class, there was this desire to set oneself apart from the teeming masses. This 1 of people decided to move up this avenue and establish their own beautiful homes, import great works from europe, and hire Great American architects to design their homes and fashion their clothes and live their own beautiful life. Our contemporary public is absolutely mesmerized by those who are glamorous, rich, famous, and beautiful. Most of the materials in this gallery were owned by individuals who everybody emulated in their day. From our perspective, in our egocentric manner, we think we have invented the cult of celebrity and glamour. I think it is very important to know we did not do it. There was an echelon of social figures and theatrical figures who were constantly in the press, constantly interviewed, and whose clothing and jewels were described in great detail in the latter part of the 19th century. The public followed them just as feverishly as our public follows our contemporary celebrities. It was given as a gift by a wealthy industrialist to an orthopedic surgeon. You have been watching a preview of our weekly program. You can view entire programs online