The History of Mardi Gras:

Mardi Gras came to or was introduced to New Orleans by the French explorer Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville in 1699. The early explorers celebrated Mardi Gras right off the banks of the Mississippi River. Iberville sailed into the Gulf of Mexico and on March 3 of 1699, he set up camp on the west bank of the Mississippi river about 60 miles south of New Orleans. However, Mardi Gras was a major holiday in Paris which was celebrated since the Middle Ages. Mardi Gras was being celebrated in France at this time and to honor this important day, Sieur d'Iberville named the site Point du Mardi Gras.

As the years went by, New Orleans added to the Mardi Gras celebration by developing krewes. These organizations (krewes) host Mardi Gras Balls and parades.

Mardi Gras' traditional colors are Purple, Green & Gold. Mardi Gras' colors were choose in 1892 when the Krewe of Rex gave the colors their meaning in the theme "Symbolism of Colors" parade.

• Purple represents justice
• Green stands for faith
• Gold stands for power

Mardi Gras is not a National holiday however it is a very traditional holiday. It is not only celebrated here in New Orleans but across some other southern states such as Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and even Florida.

During the early 1800's Mardi Gras celebrations centered around partiers with mask who was on foot, they also rode in carriages as well as on horseback. In 1837 the first parade was documented. During the 1840's & 50's because of the "maskers" violent behavior Mardi Gras gained a negative reputation. The situation became so outrageous that the press started calling to put an end to the Mardi Gras celebration.

In 1857, six New Orleanians saved the Mardi Gras celebration by establishing the Comus krewe/organization. These six men were former members of an organization called the Cowbellians. This organization held New Year's Eve parades, in Mobile since 1831. The Comus organization showed the press the beauty and potential of Mardi Gras and demonstrated to them how it could be a safe, fun and festive event. Comus was the first to use the term krewe. The Mystick Krewe of Comus was also the first parade krewe to name itself after a mythological character. Comus also started a secret Carnival society. They held a parade which had floats. They would then have a ball after the parade, which was not open to the public and only krewe members were invited. The Civil War interrupted Mardi Gras but in 1866 Comus returned.