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Mardi Gras in New Orleans [PHOTOS]
March 9, 2011 Couldn't make it to New Orleans this year for Mardi Gras? Here's a little sneak of what you missed. Don't worry, all of these pictures are safe for work.
mardi gras
mardi gras
March 9, 2011
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Five Mardi Gras Party Ideas
March 7, 2011 Stuck at home for Mardi Gras this year? Try these tips:
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Mardi Gras Recipes for King Crab, Po’Boys and More
Maybe you’re throwing a big party, or maybe Mardi Gras is just your excuse to feast on the amazing cuisine of New Orleans -- either way, you better get it right. Break out the spices and let’s get cooking!
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Know Your Mardi Gras History
March 2, 2011 Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," a reference to the binge eating a lot of Catholics do before Lent. As is often the case with holidays, the Christian roots are intertwined with earlier pagan practices. It was very common for early church fathers to integrate elements of pagan ritual in an attempt to attract potential converts.
Mardi Gras itself originated in the Middle Ages and was brought to the U.S. by the French explorer Iberville. In 1827, Parisian-style masked balls were legalized in New Orleans after a long period of prohibition. The celebration soon became known for its celebrants' raucous behavior during fanciful parades.