Mardi Gras...

Mardi Gras is well known throughout the Unite States, but the thing is do we really know the entire story behind the holiday, and what makes it become crazy. All many people think when they hear the word Mardi Gras, is that people are drunk, women are flashing people for beads and everything under those areas. But there is really more to the whole festival. It was heard to be started during Roman medieval times relating to the tradition of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a holiday to wish women fertility, the men would run around whipping the women because they thought it was considered good luck. The timeline that shows the history of Mardi Gras started around the early 1700's with settlers on the banks of the Mississippi River and moved openly to New Orleans. But not until 1875, was it recognized as an official holiday, New Orleans governor Warmoth made this holiday legit and possible.

Mardi Gras ends up falling between Feb. 3rd and Mar. 9th. But the official carnival celebration starts Jan. 6th. It ends on midnight the day before Ash Wednesday, also known as "fat tuesday". They made this a holiday because they want everyone to get the partying out of their system before the holiday and choice of lent. Beads are thrown to people with the best costumes and outrageous behavior, the more beads you were receiving means that's the crazier you are. You must also wear the colors purple green and gold, it stands for justice faith and power. Though New Orleans is well known for this festival, many places all over the world celebrate it all the same. Some people have crazier parties, while some just like being gathered as a group.

Peterson, Jan. "What is Mardi Gras?." Suite101.com 20 Feb 2009 03 Mar 2009 .