On July 20th, 1972 the New Orleans Marriott opened on Canal Street! A daredevil high diver dove nearly 5 stories down onto an oversized sponge, in order to break the ribbon and declare the hotel open for business! Celebrities and local officials alike took part in the celebrations at the hotel's 41st-floor restaurant deemed "the Riverboat in the Sky"! The party has continued on Canal Street ever since. 📸: Courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection . . . #50YearsOnCanal #NewOrleansMarriott #MarriottNOLA #NOLA #CanalStreet #NewOrleans #TheBigEasy #MarriottHotels