BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana “America 250” State Commission today unveiled a new standard license plate commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States.
The Louisiana “America 250” State Commission is charged with coordinating activities and events related to this celebration.
The new Louisiana standard license plate features 18 stars representing Louisiana as the 18th state to join the union in 1812. It was designed by the Louisiana “America 250” State Commission.
The license plate will be distributed from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026 – the conclusion of the U.S. Semiquincentennial year.
Prior to the unveiling of the new license design, the Order of the Granaderos y Damas de Galvez held a wreath laying ceremony honoring Spanish governor and American Revolutionary War hero Bernardo de Galvez in Galvez Plaza adjacent to the Old State Capitol.
Galvez was governor of Louisiana and supported the colonists and their French allies in the American Revolutionary War.
"People looked at Louisiana and they saw people who were different colors, different skin hues, they spoke a different language, French, they practiced a different religion, Catholicism they looked at Louisiana and said it's only been a few decades since we got out of Europe."
During the unveiling ceremony, former Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne addressed the significant impact of the Louisiana Purchase on the history of the United States. He highlighted Louisiana's cultural distinctiveness, noting that while it retained connections to European roots, it also contributed its own unique attributes to the nation’s diverse identity.
Dardenne remarked on the challenges Louisiana faced in becoming the 18th state, emphasizing that the state was perceived as different due to its diverse population, distinct languages such as French, and religious practices like Catholicism.
He pointed out that, at the time, there was resistance to integrating a region that seemed so closely tied to European traditions, just as the nation was emerging from its European origins.
The "Louisiana America 250" Commission was created by the Louisiana Legislature to work jointly with the federal America 250 Commission to help plan the celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The commission advises the Office of the Lieutenant Governor which provides staff and other organizational support.
“It’s exciting to be a part of this monumental celebration as we mark the birthday of our country’s freedom,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
