How Baton Rouge became part of another country

In the early 19th century, major European nations wanted a piece of North America. England, France and Spain all had keen interest in Louisiana. And then the young United States entered the fray. Wealthy British loyalists, German and French Catholics, and immigrants from the Carolinas and Georgia began to spread across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region. This led to tension in West Florida, an area controlled by Spain that stretched across the Gulf Coast and included Baton Rouge. By 1810, revolutionaries gained independence from Spanish rule and formed the short-lived Republic of West Florida. For the 225 magazine story about the history of the republic, click here. The 200th anniversary of the West Florida revolt is being commemorated Tuesday and Wednesday during a conference at LSU. The Hemispheric Freedom Symposium will feature Latin American leaders, such as Oscar Arias, the former Costa Rican president and 1987 Nobel Peace Prize winner. For details about the symposium, click here.