Fat Tuesday • Mardi Gras

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Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, is making waves online today. This centuries-old tradition, celebrated globally, marks the last day of the carnival season. From Louisiana to Europe, the festivities are in full swing with parades, parties, and music.

 

In the United States, the earliest Mardi Gras took place in 1699 when French explorers landed near what is now New Orleans. Today, New Orleans is synonymous with Mardi Gras, hosting several social organizations known as “krewes” who participate in the Carnival season. The city is alive with processions, costumes, and beads, truly living up to its reputation as the "Greatest Free Show on Earth".

 

But Fat Tuesday isn’t just about parades and parties. It’s also a day of indulgence before the Christian season of Lent begins. In Metro Detroit, for instance, Fat Tuesday is Paczki Day. Paczki, Polish pastries made with flour, eggs, milk, sugar, yeast, and sometimes butter or lard, are a popular treat. Bakeries, doughnut shops, and grocery stores have been selling these sugar-packed treats for days, if not weeks.

 

As Fat Tuesday trends online, it’s clear that this tradition continues to hold a special place in people’s hearts. But as we celebrate, it’s worth pondering: How has the meaning of Fat Tuesday evolved over the centuries? And in today’s diverse, global society, what does Fat Tuesday mean to you?