That's how long that the Ursulines have kept their Promise to hold a Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor to thank her for hearing their prayers and helping General Andrew Jackson and the Americans defeat the British and save the city during the Battle of New Orleans. It was held for the first time in 1815 and is now celebrated every Jan. 8 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, with the current archbishop of New Orleans (now Archbishop Alfred Hughes) presiding. OLPS is the patroness of the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. I've never been to the thanksgiving Mass before, but I think I'll go this year. Here's what the Ursulines have to say about this year's celebration:

Every year, since 1815, a solemn promise has been kept to honor Our Lady in a
Mass of Thanksgiving on January 8 celebrated by the Archbishop of New Orleans in
the National Shrine. This promise has been kept, without fail, for that many
years, and is attended by many devotees from across the Nation. This coming
year, on January 8, 2006, this Mass will be celebrated, albeit with
generators and compromised lighting. No problem, we’ll use candles.

Ursuline Academy, the oldest Catholic school in the nation (it opened in 1727) and the oldest continually-operating school for girls in the country, just opened back up Tuesday after having been closed since Aug. 29 for Katrina.