Laissez les bons temps rouler!
âLet the good times rollâ
Mardi Gras was born from an ancient Roman pagan festival, Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a carnival-like celebration held in February that was similar to Mardi Gras celebrations held today. As the Romans began to embrace Christianity, the church sought to incorporate existing celebrations rather than eliminate them, with the reasoning that doing so would make the new faith easier for the public to accept. Lupercalia became a sort of last hurrah before Lent, the Christian period of self-denial beginning with Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter. The final day before Ash Wednesday and Lent is now known as Fat Tuesday, and is the pinnacle of Mardi Gras celebrations. Fat Tuesday is always 47 days before Easter.
Mardi Gras has been celebrated as a major holiday in Paris since the Middle Ages. It was brought to the new world by the French explorer Iberville. The practice of throwing lavish masked balls before Lent was common in New Orleans during the 1700âs, but was banned when the area fell under Spanish control. Once New Orleans became a part of America, people began to petition for the right to continue the custom. That right was granted by the Governor in 1827.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.COM
