Tracing the Origins of Mardi Gras

Americans were able to ship their goods peacefully through New Orleans until 1801. Thomas Jefferson had found out that Spain had secretly given France New Orleans and the Louisiana Territory. The French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte was trying to conquer all of

The French Quarter was founded in 1718 as a 70 squared military-style grid. Its founder, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, who was a French Canadian naval officer, got together with two other French engineers to design the city’s street plan. His plan was to construct a central square that was surrounded by a 6x9 city block grid. At the center, a church, a rectory and a prison were constructed. The French Quarter still maintains historical buildings, such as the Church of St. Louis and the Ursuline Convent. It has incorporated a style of urbanism for four centuries, which became a part of the city during the Civil War and Reconstruction. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase transferred the colony to the U.S. beginning an era of prosperity. The victory of

The port of New Orleans was controlled by France. France eventually gave over the rights to Spain. Spain didn’t want a vast majority of new settlers coming into the land, so Spain closed New Orleans and the lower part of the Mississippi to any foreigners. Spain eventually gave the rights of navigation and exploration of the land and New Orleans Port over to the Americans. France soon gained a new leader by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon was a powerful tiny man who took over a vast majority of land in Europe. Spain gave the Louisiana territory to Napoleon, because of the gigantic size of the property.

T'S MARDI GRAS!!!!! Yes, New Orleans' famous Carnival season is this years' never-ending party and you're invited. Mardi Gras, famous for its colorful and cultural parades, is an experience you can't go any longer w/out! The Streets are packed with both tourists and Native Louisianans as they celebrate Mardi Gras in full color and sound. . The Huge Parades come flashing down the street we fresh music, an explosion of lights, and spectacular floats. Everyone is having a great time, enjoying the festivities of the parade. So you're new to Mardi Gras, but don't want to act like it? Here in brief, are the basic facts about Americas' greatest party.

Mardi Gras is a wonderful holiday that attracted everyone from the country to come to the city, even though the holiday was not from New Orleans. Mardi Gras

New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, sieur de Bienville, and named for the regent of France, Philippe II, duc d'Orleans. It remained a French colony until 1763, when it was surrendered to the

St. Louis was acquired from France by the United States under President Thomas Jefferson in 1803, as part of the Louisiana Purchase. It was founded by the French in 1764 when Auguste Chouteau established a fur-trading post and Pierre Laclède Liguest, a New Orleans merchant, founded a town at the present site. They named it after King Louis XV of France and his patron saint, Louis IX. From 1770 to 1803, St. Louis was a Spanish possession, but it was ceded back to France in 1803 in accordance with the Treaty of San Ildefonso (1800), only to be acquired by the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase later that year. The town was incorporated in 1809. From 1812 to 1821, St. Louis was the capital of

New Orleans, Louisiana is a city known for its historic beauty. Everything in Down Town New Orleans has a long history. Whether the histories are beautiful or distasteful they tell our city’s story. In 1960 Jackson Square was declared a national historic landmark due to its growing popularity. New Orleans was built around Place d’Armes which was the original name of Jackson Square (Wegmann). Place d’Armes was changed to Jackson Square shortly after Jackson’s death in honor of him (Wegmann). A few short

The Battle of New Orleans mainly took place in December 1814. Technically, this war should not have happened, but it did due to failure of the news of the Treaty of Ghent reaching American shores in time. The Treaty of Ghent was signed to form a truce by European diplomats during the late stages of the War of 1812. The Battle of New Orleans was part of a larger, three pronged attack set by Great Britain, and its goals were to “…gain domain over the Mississippi River and hold the trade of the entire American South under its thumb”. The other two “prongs” of this large attack had been dealt with at the Battles of Baltimore and Plattsburgh. Major General Andrew Jackson would deal with the last one, at The Battle of New

Mardi Gras City. Crescent City. The Big Easy. Jazz City. The Party City. The only city that can be identify by its history and people still know the name, New Orleans. New Orleans is the kind of city that can be toured 100 times and learn something new. New Orleans is not a tourist area because of entertainment it bring to people, but the rich history. New Orleans is a city that was own by the French and the Spanish. The various culture that can from immigrants brought New Orleans to where it is today.

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is celebrated all over the world and can be traced back to medieval Europe (mardigrasneworleans.com). Although times may have changed, the tradition of Mardi Gras remains the same. What comes to mind when you hear the words Mardi Gras? Personally, I think of colorful floats, lavish parades, and overall just a huge celebration. But do you really know the history and meaning behind this holiday and how it changed over time?

The French Quarter, which is, also known as the Vieux Carré is on the crescent in the Mississippi River on some of the highest ground in New Orleans. It is the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. After Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville founded New Orleans in 1781, the city developed around the Vieux Carré, a central square. The community is used to for residents to take time to welcome the visitors in the streets. The Vieux Carré Commission was established in New Orleans in 1921. It was the first historic preservation commission in the U.S State that was approved in 1936.

It was established by the French and was ruled for more than 40 years by the Spanish. It was bought by U.S. in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. New Orleans is known because of its unique Creole culture and diverse history. The city is famous for its 24hrs nightlife and most importantly for its food. The city is also known for its vibrant music scene and spicy cuisines that combine its history of African, French, Spanish, and American cultures.

Film director David Redmon, created the documentary Mardi Gras: Made in China, following the trail of beads from a factory in China to Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras, emotionally exposing the imbalances of globalization. Redmond skillfully illuminates the clash of cultures by comparing American excess and consumer ignorance against the harsh life of the Chinese factory worker. The film began with the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans where people gathered to party, drink alcohol, and expose themselves in exchange for brightly colored plastic bead necklaces. The stories follows four teenage women workers, providing insights

New Orleans voodoo rituals differ from those of Haitian voodoo because of their emphasis on voodoo queens, gris-gris, superstitions and spells. Voodoo queens were central figures to voodoo in the United States. They looked over ceremonial meetings and ritual dance while also obtaining income by making charms, amulets and magical powders that were guaranteed to have special healing powers. The most legendary voodoo queen was Marie Laveau because of her special powers and ability to do exorcisms. She quickly overthrew the other voodoo queens of New Orleans. Gris-Gris is a voodoo amulet which is believed to protect whomever wears it from evil and will provide them with good luck. New Orleans voodoo is also known for their superstitions, however, they aren't central to the actual faith. These superstitions are just resulted from ancient Louisana voodoo tradition and have influenced the faith.