Many forms of the Mardi Gras festival are celebrated throughout the world. From the Carnival celebrations of Rio and Venius to the Mardi Gras festivals of Paris and New Orleans it is a time of the year when many corners of the World revel in merriment.  

Mardi Gras, in French meaning "Fat Tuesday" came to the United States from Paris where it has been celebrated since the Middle Ages. In 1699, French explorer Iberville and his men explored the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico. On a spot 60 miles south of the present location of New Orleans, they set up camp on the river's West Bank. Knowing that the day, March 3, was being celebrated as a major holiday in France, they christened the site Point du Mardi Gras.