where did mardi gras originate in the us
Mardi Gras in the US traces its roots to early French colonial settlements in the South. Historians debate the exact starting point, but it began with explorers in the late 1600s near what became Louisiana and Alabama.
Earliest Recorded Celebration
French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans on March 3, 1699—Fat Tuesday—and named the site Pointe du Mardi Gras. They marked the occasion with a celebration, tying it to the pre-Lenten tradition of using up rich foods before fasting. This spot, about 60 miles south of New Orleans, set the stage for future festivities in French Louisiana.
Mobile's Strong Claim as First
Many sources credit Mobile, Alabama, with America's first organized Mardi Gras. In 1703, settlers at Fort Louis de la Mobile (French Louisiana's initial capital) held the earliest documented festivities. By 1830, locals staged the first known parade on New Year's Eve, followed by a float parade in 1831—organized by "Mystic Societies" that paired parades with themed balls. Curator Cart Blackwell notes this as the true start of modern US Carnival, predating New Orleans' street parades.
New Orleans Takes Center Stage
New Orleans didn't see its first organized parade until 1837, but it exploded in popularity after the Mistick Krewe of Comus formed in 1857 with elaborate floats and galas. The city, as Louisiana's later capital, became synonymous with Mardi Gras—think beads, king cakes, and the "Greatest Free Show on Earth." Still, Mobile insists it birthed the tradition, with ongoing rivalry between the cities.
Key Historical Milestones
- 1699 : Explorers name Pointe du Mardi Gras near New Orleans.
- 1702-1703 : Fort Louis founded in Mobile; first US Mardi Gras celebrated there.
- 1830-1831 : Mobile's first parades with floats.
- 1837 : New Orleans' initial street parade (chaotic, cow-costumed revelers).
- 1857 : Comus Krewe professionalizes New Orleans celebrations.
City| First Event| Key Innovation| Modern Fame
---|---|---|---
Mobile, AL| 1703 celebration; 1830 parade 37| Mystic Societies, floats 3|
Oldest continuous Carnival
New Orleans, LA| 1699 naming; 1837 parade 19| Krewes, massive parades 9|
World's biggest Mardi Gras
Rival Views and Evolution
Mobile boosters argue New Orleans gets undue credit , pointing to records of their earlier parades and balls as the "two ingredients" of American Carnival. New Orleans fans highlight the 1699 landing and their scale—drawing millions today. Over time, traditions like Venetian masks, king cakes, and purple-green-gold colors spread nationwide, evolving from medieval European roots.
TL;DR: Mobile, Alabama, holds the edge for the first full US Mardi Gras in 1703, though New Orleans claims the 1699 spark—and now owns the spotlight.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.