National Day

Fat Tuesday

Celebrated on 02/17/2026

Quick Fact

Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, is celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday, marking the end of the Carnival season. The tradition of eating rich, fatty foods before the Lenten fast began in medieval Europe, and the largest celebration in the United States takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana, drawing over 1.4 million visitors annually.

Origins and Establishment of Fat Tuesday

Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras in French, has its roots in ancient Roman pagan festivals like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, which involved feasting and revelry before the solemn period of Lent. As Christianity spread, the Church incorporated these celebrations into the pre-Lenten season, officially establishing the tradition by the Middle Ages. The date of Fat Tuesday is tied to Easter, occurring 47 days before Easter Sunday, and thus can fall between February 3 and March 9.

The celebration was brought to North America by French explorers. In 1699, French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville set up camp near present-day New Orleans on the eve of Mardi Gras, naming the spot "Pointe du Mardi Gras." However, the first recorded Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837, organized by a group of masked revelers. The tradition of elaborate parades and krewes (social clubs) was formalized with the founding of the Mistick Krewe of Comus in 1856.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Over the centuries, Fat Tuesday evolved from a simple day of feasting into a massive cultural festival with parades, masquerade balls, and street parties. In the 19th and 20th centuries, New Orleans became the epicenter of Mardi Gras in the United States, with krewes like Rex and Zulu adding to the spectacle. The tradition of throwing beads, doubloons, and other trinkets from parade floats became popular in the 1920s, and the iconic Mardi Gras colors—purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power)—were established by the Krewe of Rex in 1872.

Today, Fat Tuesday is celebrated worldwide, with notable festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Venice, and Mobile, Alabama. In New Orleans, the celebration lasts for weeks, culminating on Fat Tuesday itself with massive parades, costumed revelers, and king cake, a sweet pastry with a hidden plastic baby. The holiday has also become a major economic driver, with the New Orleans Mardi Gras generating over $1 billion annually.

Facts & General Observations

  • The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans featured floats designed by artist Carlotta Bonney, and the tradition of throwing beads began when a parade rider tossed glass beads to the crowd in the 1920s.
  • Over 46,000 tons of beads are imported from China each year for Mardi Gras, and an estimated 25 million pounds of beads are thrown during the New Orleans celebration.
  • The largest king cake ever made weighed over 1,200 pounds and was created in 2016 by a New Orleans bakery.

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