The bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans is one of the only historical anniversaries that I’ve really been excited about in my lifetime. While the Civil War sesquicentennial has received a lot of publicity, the War of 1812 bicentennial has languished in the background.
That’s unfortunate, but at least in Nashville and New Orleans, there has been a lot of attention given to the January 8 festivities. The Hermitage has a new exhibit opening this week, and I, along with a number of prominent historians, including Dan Feller, Don Hickey, Tom Kanon, and Gene Smith, will be participating in the events today. If you want to brave the cold, you should come out.
If you can’t come, then let me provide entertainment for you. Below you will find not one, not two, but three versions of the Johnny Horton song about Old Hickory and New Orleans. The first is the well-known appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The second is a purported live version recorded in Texas. The last is a duet by Jerry Reed and Glen Campbell. Enjoy!
Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics 
I always love this version, too–the battle done in Lego: http://youtu.be/OWkOeK5AmI8
The second half is a bit weird (dragons and knights in New Orleans?) but all in all a fun video.
Knights and dragons might help explain why it was such a rout.