January 26, 1861: Louisiana Secedes from the Union

Today marks the 150th anniversary of Louisiana seceding from the Union. On January 26, 1861, a delegation elected by Louisiana voters to the state's secession convention signed the ordinance of secession. Below is a painting of that moment, as well as links to other sites with more information about the ordinance and Louisiana's role in the Civil War.



The Ordinance of Secession for Louisiana

Signing of the Ordinance of Secession of Louisiana

Civil War in Louisiana on The Cabildo site.

Louisiana's Civil War Museum

Civil War sites in Louisiana
(Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service)


Sonnet Ireland
Head of Federal Documents
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research, Political Science
Urban Studies, Engineering