Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a vibrant celebration that is popular and commonly celebrated. However, few know the history of the tradition that dates as far back as the 1700s from medieval Europe.
The tradition started with the exploration of Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur, a French Canadian explorer. The explorer claimed land south of New Orleans and named it Pointe Du Mardi Gras. He established a fort and in 1703, the first Mardi Gras was celebrated.
One of the major traditions included in Mardi Gras is the baking and purchasing of King Cake. King Cake is a donut shaped pastry that is rich and colorfully decorated. Inside the pastry is a plastic baby that represents baby Jesus. The tradition claims that anyone who finds the baby has good luck and fortune but that they also need to provide the cake for next year’s celebration.
Mardi Gras is celebrated worldwide, but it is largely celebrated in New Orleans. Masks, beaded necklaces, and foods fill the streets before Ash Wednesday, a Christian holy day marking the start of the Lent season. Mardi Gras is a festive and lively holiday that has a deep history and a long line of traditions.
