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Although The Big Easy in Louisiana is perhaps best-known for its Mardi Gras revelry, the port city of Mobile, Alabama, founded in 1702 by French settlers, lays claim to being the city that first Mobile Carnival poster from 1900. Floats lining up for an Order of Inca parade in 2007. Mardi Gras is the annual Carnival celebration in Mobile, Alabama.It is the oldest official Carnival celebration in the United States, started by Frenchman Nicholas Langlois in 1703 when Mobile was the capital of Louisiana. In 1703, Mobile, Alabama was the first city recorded to have the oldest organized Mardi Gras in the U.S., according to Curious Cuisiniere. "The first documented celebration of modern-day carnival, what people think of as carnival in the United States is historically without a doubt began in Mobile. Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras didn't get its start in New Orleans. You see, Mardi Gras began in Mobile, Alabama – a port city with close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, located In 1703, Mobile, Alabama was the first city recorded to have the oldest organized Mardi Gras in the U.S., according to Curious Cuisiniere. "The first documented celebration of modern-day carnival Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras didn't get its start in New Orleans. Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile, Alabama – a port city with close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, located Carnival, American Style: Mardi Gras at Mobile and New Orleans. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990. "Mardi Gras in Mobile: Excerpts from the 1908 Diary of Young Visitor, Senta Jones." Gulf Coast Historical Review 11 (Spring 1996): 69-76. Mardi Gras Vertical Files, Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy Section, Mobile, Alabama. It's that time again! Time to revisit the centuries-old argument, “Which came first: Mardi Gras in Mobile or New Orleans?” Did the first Carnival happen in Louisiana in 1699 downriver from where New Orleans would be founded, or did it occur in Alabama in 1703 in the new settlement of Mobile? Here’s what we found out. The Argument for New In 1703, the first "organized" Mardi Gras was held in Mobile. From 1710 to around 1860, Mobile was the center of the celebration, with the city holding parades and parties celebrating Mardi Gras. Carnival season is officially upon us, and while more than a million people are expected to flock to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras, the holiday's American origins actually lie two hours When Is Mardi Gras In Mobile Alabama? The 2025 Mardi Gras celebration in the City of Mobile, Alabama begins on February 14 and continues through March 4, marking the city’s grand carnival season. This festive period stands as a testament to the rich history of Mobile Alabama Mardi Gras, dating back to 1703 when the tradition first started here. Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras didn't get its start in New Orleans. You see, Mardi Gras began in Mobile, Alabama – a port city with close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, located Celebrate Mardi Gras in style with Mobile's vibrant parades, live music, and rich traditions! Parades start February 14th—discover event schedules and everything you need to enjoy the best Mardi Gras experience in Mobile, Alabama Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday,” the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras didn't get its start in New Orleans. Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile, Alabama – a port city with close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, located The Mardi Gras parade started in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras is a French term meaning “Fat Tuesday”, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans in 1837. Mardi Gras is now a worldwide event, with parades and celebrations held in cities around the world. When did Mardi Gras start in America? In 1699, Mardi Gras is said to have made its way to North America, thanks to French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville. He settled down near present-day New Orleans and brought the tradition with him. Where the first official celebration actually happened, however, is up for constant debate He also traveled to Mobile, Alabama, in 1702, calling it “Fort Louis de la Louisiane.” The Alabama city celebrated America's first Mardi Gras in 1703. Mardi Gras 2024: When is it? How did We were so excited when we talked to Visit Mobile about spending two days in town and experiencing the best of Mardi Gras. Did you know that Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, Alabama? Yes, it's true! Mobile is the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras, which took place in 1703.
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