Only a few weeks ago, more than 1 million people gathered in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. And, while the crowds were obviously down compared to pre-Katrina days, party sponsors saw record post-Katrina numbers in the famous French Quarter.
Mardi Gras has been with us in some form since the early 18th century. Some historians trace its origins to medieval Europe when carnivals celebrated a final night of eating richer foods before fasting of the Lenten season begins. According to the Western Christian calendar, Lent starts on Ash Wednesday which serves as the official countdown of 46 days (minus Sundays) until Easter Sunday.
"Fat Tuesday" (English translation of the French, "Mardi Gras") is more than feasting on fattening food, however. Since the official "Mardi Gras Act" was signed into Louisiana law in 1875, the New Orleans celebration has well earned the reputation as the biggest booze bash on American soil. Aside from the "parade throws" of doubloons, brightly colored jewelry (fake, of course), souvenir cups, and other crowd-pleasing dainties the elaborate float crews throw into the crowds, it's non-stop drinking, carousing, and plain-old vulgarity on steroids.
Not to be confused with the frolicking of Mardi Gras is St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Like Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day began as a religious celebration. And, like Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day has been thoroughly severed from its primarily religious rootedness, focusing more on indulgence than inspiration. Admittedly, there remain some wholesome aspects to St. Patrick's Day. Unfortunately, however, most emphasis goes toward loose and wild drinking at local pubs than to any positive contributions to our collective socio-conscience. Even in Ireland, where religious roots still remain connected to St. Patrick's Day celebrations, pubs which were once closed on this sacrosanct day, are now open (and opened only recently) due to the public demand for indulgence.
Source: Baptist Press | Peter Lumpkins
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