Mardi Gras Facts 2009

Did you know that beads and baubles were first thrown from floats starting in 1871

Did you know that the colors of Mardi Gras stand for: purple = justice; green = faith; gold = power... these colors became the offical colors in 1872

Did you know that Mardi Gras means: Mardi = Tuesday; Gras = Fat

Mardi Gras arrived in the new world (USA) around 1699 when a French explorer named Iberville arrived about 60 miles south of New Orleans, on the Mississippi River, and named it Point du Mardi Gras, due to the holiday being celebrated in his native country on that day.

Fat Tuesday is a legal holiday in New Orleans

Fat Tuesday has occurred every year except during 1918 and 1919 due to World War I, and again in the 1940s due to World War II. During the 1920s and 1930s the parties were not as prolific because of Prohibition and the Great Depression.