New Orleans ? Putting aside strained relations stemming from the war in Iraq, dignitaries from France, Spain and the United States on Saturday helped mark the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.

Re-enactors raised a 15-star American flag to the tune of fife and drums at the plaza between Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, capping a yearlong New Orleans celebration of the bicentennial of the massive land transfer.

“The Louisiana Purchase launched the United States toward a coast-to-coast future,” Interior Secretary Gale Norton said before reading a message from President Bush.

Bush, citing a full schedule, and French President Jacques Chirac declined invitations to attend the ceremony, sending representatives in their places. Spanish King Juan Carlos sent his ambassador, Javier Ruperez-Rubio.

Event organizers had hoped a meeting between Bush and Chirac would soothe ill feelings lingering from France’s refusal to back the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

On Dec. 20, 1803, ownership of more than 800,000 square miles — now part or all of 15 states — was formally transferred from France to the United States at ceremonies in New Orleans. President Jefferson had wanted to buy a portion of the land, which France had acquired from Spain in 1800, but wound up getting the whole parcel for $15 million.

Many speakers noted how unusual it was for nations to transfer so much land without a war.

“Our friendship is not only deeply rooted in history, it is based on shared views. Democracy. Freedom,” French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte told the crowd.

As the U.S. flag rose up the pole in New Orleans’ French Quarter, the French flag traveled down on the same rope, halting midway while the band played the American national anthem from 1803 — “Hail Columbia.”

Re-enactors portraying the French National Guard troops file in front of historic St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter of New Orleans during ceremonies celebrating the Louisiana Purchase. Saturday's event concluded a yearlong bicentennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase.

Actors playing the parts of French Prefect Pierre Clement Laussat, U.S. Gov. William C.C. Claiborne — the territory’s first governor — and U.S. Gen. James Wilkinson signed four copies of the treaty.

Jean-Louis Debre, president of the French National Assembly, attended the ceremony, as did his son, Guillaume Debre.