Mardi Gras, in French-speaking parts of the world and in some southern U.S. localities, is the last day of carnival festivities preceding Lent, the period of penitence observed by Christians in preparation for Easter. Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday") is the French term for Shrove Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent.
Pre-Lenten carnival celebrations reach their climax on this day in February or March, depending on the date of Easter. In the United States, although the best-known and most elaborate Mardi Gras carnival is that of New Orleans, La., similar festivities take place in Mobile, Ala., and other communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida.
Web Sites
- Mardi Gras
- Mardi Gras - Wikipedia
- Mardi Gras Links, News, and History
- Infoplease
- Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans!
Catalog
Search the library's catalog for Mardi Gras, Carnival Louisiana New Orleans.
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