On February 27, in the year 1827, the holiday known as Mardi Gras was officially created by a group of students. The holiday began in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mardi Gras was founded on Fat Tuesday. This day is the last day of Carnival, a celebration which lasts from January 6, or the Twelfth Night, until Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday begins Lent.

Mardi Gras was a well-celebrated tradition in New Orleans as back as the late 1600’s, when the French were in charge. However, after Spain took control of the land and appointed governors for the provinces, Mardi Gras celebrations were banned. On the other hand, they began soon after the United States of America took control of the region. In 1827, a group of students who had studied in Paris, France, started their own festivities on Fat Tuesday, which included people wearing masks and jester costumes. This tradition has carried on from that day on to the present.

By 1833, the celebrations of Mardi Gras became much more popular. As a result, Bernard Xavier de Marigny de Mandeville, a wealthy plantation owner, was able to raise enough money to pay for an official Mardi Gras ‘party.’ However, these festivities became crazy by the 1850’s, especially with the entrance of rowdy revelers. Therefore, the first organized Mardi Gras parade was created by Mistick Krewe of Comus, a secret society, in 1857.

Many more activities were added to the Mardi Gras celebration over the years. For example, during the two-week interim before Fat Tuesday, many krewes formed and built gigantic and vibrant floats. In addition, the passengers on these floats threw packages, or “throws,” at people who watch the parade next to the floats. These “throws” contained many things, which included  coins, stuffed animals, beads, or other decorations.

A common mistake integrated with Mardi Gras is the location of the parade. Even though New Orleans is home to Bourbon Street and the notable French Quarter, the celebrations do not occur here. In fact, Mardi Gras festivities have not entered the French Quarter since 1979, due to the narrow and restricted streets in the area.

Another common misunderstanding about Mardi Gras is women have to show their bosoms, or the tops of their chests. Women do this to get beads or a coconut, which are both very valuable. Actually, women do not have to do this to get this precious gift.

Mardi Gras is very popular for many Louisiana, or even continental US, residents who either have lived in France or have ancestral ties to the country. Even if one has only recently visited France during this festive season, the spirit of Mardi Gras will always be felt on Fat Tuesday.