When is Mardi Gras?
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Crack out the King Cake because Mardis Gras is here.
Mardis Gras (Fat Tuesday in French) is a celebration that takes place the day before Ash Wednesday, marking the end to the season that precedes Lent, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville brought Mardis Gras to North America. Ever since then , the holiday has become strongly associated with New Orleans, La. and Mobile, Ala., according to Visit the USA.
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The celebration. itself, is the capstone of Carnival which begins on the twelfth night of Christmas, Jan. 6, which also is the Feast of the Epiphany (the day that the Three Wise Men were to have found Jesus). Canival runs until Fat Tuesday, which man people also refer to as Shrove Tuesday. In many parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, the day of celebration is known as Pancake Day.
Mardi Gras has its roots in Pagan traditions that were incorporated into Christianity via the Romans, according to the History Channel. Along the way, it several traditions have been associated with it.
In 2024, Mardi Gras will land on Feb. 13.
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