Mardi Gras

From the vault: Mardi Gras

From the vault: Mardi Gras

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Every year since the 1800’s, revelers have flocked to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. Many historians believe that the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699 when French explorers landed in what is now Louisiana. They held a small celebration and dubbed the spot Point du Mardi Gras.

Parades with floats, marching bands and party-goers throwing beads, wearing masks and eating King Cake are all part of the ongoing tradition of Mardi Gras. Browse through archive photos dating back to the 1940s to see how the celebration has evolved.

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Mardi Gras celebrations fling through New Orleans

Mardi Gras celebrations fling through New Orleans

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43 photos

Perhaps best known today for its drinking and “beads for breasts” activities, the Mardi Gras parade began earlier today around the French Quarter in New Orleans. French for “fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras celebrates the last night of gluttonous celebration before the ritual fasting begins on the Christian holiday Ash Wednesday.

So far this year, Super Bowl Champions Ed Reed and Jacoby Jones were scene walking with the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Also this past weekend, parades (perhaps more child-friendly?) were also held in New Orleans that included a bead-throwing Kelly Clarkson two days before winning the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.

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