July 30

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Riot July 30, 1866 Illustration from Harper's Weekly

On July 30, 1866 New Orleans descended into racial violence that, by the end of the day, would leave an estimated 38 individuals dead and dozens injured. Racial tensions, which were already high soon after the close of the Civil War, flared after African Americans were denied the right to vote. The enactment of the so-called “Black Codes” infuriated Republicans determined to secure citizenship rights for all Americans, and they ultimately reconvened the Louisiana Constitutional Convention in hopes of seizing control of the state government. During a break in the Convention, violence broke out between armed white supremacists and African Americans marching in support of suffrage—and the African Americans were not prepared for the fight. Unarmed African Americans were attacked and murdered, and many law enforcement officials perpetrated the crimes. The riot did not last long; it was suppressed the same day. However, an estimated 38 people died, all but a few of whom were African Americans. The city existed under martial law for several days. The riot—and others like it—shocked the country and convinced many Northerners that firm action was needed to control ex-Confederates. After Republicans gained control of Congress that fall, they quickly put Reconstruction policies into effect. From https://lcrm.lib.unc.edu/blog/index.php/2012/07/30/on-this-day-the-new-orleans-race-riot-of-1866/

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NOPL New Orleans Fire Department Photograph Collection photographs, July 30, 1976:

Nolan J. Delatte, John B. Gullo, Forest L. Blakeman, Chief William J. McCrossen, Gary A. DeLucca, Henry L. Beba, Fred A. Reiser .

Firefighter Warren P. Verberne, Jr. is the proud father of Miss Petite Louisiana, Yvette "Candy" Verberne .

On July 30, 1975, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (bounded by Basin, St. Louis, Conti, and Treme Streets) and St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 (bounded by Claiborne, Robertson, St. Louis, and Iberville Streets) were entered into the National Register of Historic Places.

NOPL WPA Photos -- Municipal Yacht Harbor under construction , July 30. 1939.

Noting the pace of WPA work around the tennis courts the New Orleans Item reported on July 30, 1936, "This crew of WPA workers on the City Park project under Supt. Denis Flynn, yesterday broke the Louisiana record, and it is believed, the national record for laying sidewalk paving. In one day they laid 700 lineal feet of 6 1/2 foot wide sidewalk”.

NOPL WPA photos, Audubon Park improvements, July 30, 1936.:

Zoo -- In foreground is a large lily pond WPA workers have constructed (with underground conduct) for Audubon Park's fast developing and extensively landscaped zoological garden .

Zoo -- Large and small animals, monkeys, birds and those visitors who "see the sights" at Audubon Park are pleased with WPA removal, relocation and rebuilding of the zoo. Both animals and visitors have more room and superior ac comodations now since the zoo has been taken from the center of the park to the southwest corner and will be surrounded by an extensively landscaped and well developed zoological garden.

Zoo -- First animal house .

On July 30, 1923, Sidney Bechet made his first recordings. The session was led by Clarence Williams, a pianist and songwriter, better known at that time for his music publishing and record producing. Bechet recorded "Wild Cat Blues" and "Kansas City Man Blues". "Wild Cat Blues" is in a multi-thematic ragtime tradition, with four themes, at sixteen bars each, and "Kansas City Man Blues" is a genuine 12-bar blues. Bechet interpreted and played each uniquely, and with outstanding creativity and innovation for the time. (Wiki)