Friday, February 6, 2009

Mardi Gras

A BIT OF HISTORY: In Louisiana, the first Mardi Gras was in 1589 when the French explorers Bienville and Iberville landed at the mouth of the river in New Orleans. The next day was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. The tradition back in France and in Europe in those days was that there was always a major feast prior to the 40 days of fasting in Lent. The day called Mardi Gras aka Fat Tuesday, was when you could eat and drink all day long because you were going to have to go into repentance for forty days. As all good Christians, you would take care of yourself first, and the custom became known as Mardi Gras.

Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

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