written by Jasmine Grace – High school Intern

Every year, millions flock to New Orleans in late winter to partake in the vibrant celebration of Mardi Gras. What many people don’t know is that Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to ancient Rome and is celebrated worldwide. This year, however, things were a bit different. New Orleans hosted no parades, but that didn’t mean the festivities were cancelled. Many decorated their houses as parade floats to celebrate in a safer way. The new twist on this ancient holiday was called ‘Yardi Gras.’

The origins of Mardi Gras lie in the ancient city of Rome. Celebrations in late winter were already a holiday, so when Christianity spread to the Empire, leaders decided to keep those festivals in place and incorporate the old into the new. This took the form of a huge celebration before Lent. As Roman influences and Christianity spread through Europe, they brought these festivals with them. They became known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday.