This is a remarkable day in New Orleans history. On 20 December 1803, the French flag was lowered in New Orleans to signify the formal transfer of the Louisiana Purchase from France to the United States, purchased for $15 million. I bought this tie in New Orleans six years ago.
Happy Birthday, daughter Amanda Wheeler! She asked me to wear my fleur-de-lis tie because she loves France and New Orleans!
Wearing my fleurs-de-lis tie because it's been out of view for over 18 months and because we like New Orleans (where I bought the tie several years ago). Also celebrating the birthday of Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia -- a fantastic resource for general information about New Orleans or fleurs-de-lis or neckties or randomness or whatever interests you today. Jimmy Wales was born just before midnight on 7 August but his birth certificate says 8 August.
I bought this fleur-de-lis tie in New Orleans in late 2019. Ben Kleppinger asked me to wear it today, to honor his birthday (yesterday, 16 January). He wants it to honor both the city of Louisville and the life of Breonna Taylor (the Black woman killed by police in her home in March 2020, during a botched raid).
