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Mardi Gras: February 13, 2024

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Mardi Gras: February 13, 2024

Press Release Number: CB24-SFS.19

From HISTORY.com (A&E Television Networks, LLC), Mardi Gras 2024:

“What Is Mardi Gras?

“Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, including the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia.

“When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate these popular local traditions into the new faith, an easier task than abolishing them altogether. As a result, the excess and debauchery of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

“Along with Christianity, Mardi Gras spread from Rome to other European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and England.

Photo: Mardi gras mask

“What Does Mardi Gras Mean?

“Mardi is the French word for Tuesday and gras means 'fat.' In France, the day before Ash Wednesday came to be known as Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday.'

“Traditionally, in the days leading up to Lent, merrymakers would binge on all the rich, fatty foods—meat, eggs, milk, lard and cheese—that remained in their homes, in anticipation of several weeks of eating only fish and different types of fasting.

“The word carnival, another common name for the pre-Lenten festivities, also derives from this feasting tradition: in Medieval Latin, carnelevarium means to take away or remove meat, from the Latin carnem for meat.”

Key Stats

From data.census.gov:

Note: The profile above is cropped at the top and bottom. Click on the image for the full profile.

More Stats

From QuickFacts: statistics for all states and counties, and for cities and towns with a population of 5,000 or more.

Note: Below are cities known for their Mardi Gras celebrations.

Source: Quarterly Services Survey (QSS), 2011 to 2024  

From Census.gov >  History:

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Page Last Revised - January 31, 2024
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