July 7

Summer Showers
July 7, 1939

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Beginning in the mid-1930s, and for several years after, the Recreation Project of the WPA sponsored the "Summer Showers" program in conjunction with the New Orleans Fire Department. Several days a week throughout the summer, firemen closed off a street, opened the hydrants and attached special nozzles to their hoses so the children of New Orleans could frolick and beat the heat

Opening day of the Summer Showers program was traditionally celebrated with a certain amount of pomp and circumstance. City and WPA leaders gathered at Engine House 26, 231 S. Broad, for the ceremonial turning on of the showers. The photo above was taken on opening day on Broad Street, July 7, 1939. These photographs were taken on opening day, July 1, 1941.

(Text and photograph from the New Orleans Public Library.)

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Beyonce performed at the dome on July 7, 2013 during her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. The concert was a part of the Essence Music Festival and broke the attendance record of the annual festival.

Jazz great Willie Gary "Bunk" Johnson died on July 7, 1949.

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (Francesca Saveria Cabrini), also called Mother Cabrini, founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, was beatified by the Catholic Church on November 13, 1938. She was the first (naturalized) citizen of the United States to be canonized, on July 7, 1946, by Pope Pius XII . Cabrini High School, which she founded, is named for her.

On July 7, 1944, the Liberty ship Alcee Fortier was launched by the Delta Shipbuilding Company.

NOPL photo -- North Rocheblave Street work, July 7, 1938, a part of a city-wide drainage program by the WPA which extended the sewerage system of New Orleans and closed many open gutters along old thoroughfares.

NOPD photo -- The laying of a concrete apron on the First Street Wharf was a part of the general program of dock rehabilitation for New Orleans by WPA, July 7, 1938.

Jackson Barracks was established in 1834 and was known as New Orleans Barracks prior to July 7, 1866 when it was renamed in honor of Andrew Jackson.

New Orleans City Ordinance #2824 (July 7, 1855) put the operation of the New Orleans Workhouse out to lease beginning on August 1, 1856. The municipal authorities did, however, retain supervisory rights over the activities and business of the lessee. The original lessee abandoned his lease to the city early in 1857 and operation of the workhouse returned to the municipal authorities until a new lease went into effect on September 1 of that year. A report of the Orleans Parish Grand Jury, dated July 7, 1856, includes the following description of the Workhouse: In the City Work House are one hundred and forty prisoners, most of whom were engaged in various kinds of work, and though by no means working hard; yet, from their movements, it appeared hard for them to work, and the Jury could only come to the conclusion, that when they are out of the work house, they are citizens of leisure. The yards, shops, rooms, &c., clean; no complaints as to food, and the general appearance of the place creditable to the Wardens." (NOPL)

On July 7, 1798, a copy from the King's order authorizing the Cabildo to borrow $15,000 for the construction of a City Hall was reviewed at the Cabildo.