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Mardi Gras began as an extravagant celebration for Christians in Europe. It reached North America in the early 18th century.
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Many countries celebrate Mardi Gras as the last day of the Carnival season.
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Other names for Mardi Gras include Martes de Carnaval (in Mexico), Karneval (Germany), J'Ouvert (Trinidad), Fastan (Sweden), and Martedi Grasso (Italy).
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A French Cajun phrase for Mardi Gras is ‘Laissez les bons temps rouler', which means ‘Let the good times roll'.
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Some countries celebrate Mardi Gras as ‘Pancake Day', and indulge in eating pancakes. Ireland, Australia, England, Canada and New Zealand celebrate Pancake Day.
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Purple, gold and green and the official colors of Mardi Gras. Purple is meant to signify justice, gold is meant to signify power and green signifies faith.
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The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837.
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The first floats in the parades in New Orleans Mardi Gras appeared in 1857.
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The clubs that hold parades or balls at Mardi Gras are called Krewes.
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In 1872 the tradition of naming kings and queens began when the Russian grand duke visited New Orleans Mardi Gras and a royal reception was held for him. The grand duke's royal colors were purple, gold and green, which became Mardi Gras' official colors.
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Millions of colored beaded necklaces are thrown from floats at Mardi Gras.
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When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005 it was believed that Mardi Gras would be cancelled the following year. It was decided that Mardi Gras would go on.
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The French Quarter in New Orleans was mostly undamaged in Hurricane Katrina.
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Masquerades and feasts are a big part of Mardi Gras. The ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia also featured feasts and masquerades.
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The first American city to hold a parade for Mardi Gras was Mobile, Alabama.
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One of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in the U.S. is held in Galveston, Texas.
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In 1875 Louisiana named Mardi Gras a state holiday. Today is also a state holiday in Alabama and Florida.
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Rio de Janeiro hosts one of the world's largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the world.
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It is illegal to ride a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans if you're not wearing a mask. This law came into effect to allow people to associate with anyone they wanted to, without social barriers.
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