The information and links below include search tips and a selection of articles covering this topic in the digitized Louisiana newspapers. The dates and suggested search terms can help to further explore this topic on Chronicling America. For the most search results, try the search terms in different combinations, in proximity, and as phrases.

Significant Dates

1857 - Mistick Krewe of Comus formed; First modern Mardi Gras organization in New Orleans
1862-1865 - Parades cancelled during Civil War
1869 - First formal Mardi Gras ball and parade in Lafayette
1872 - Krewe of Rex Formed; Carnival King is established; First organized daytime parade
1875 - The State of Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal holiday
1882 - Krewe of Proteus Formed

918-1919 - Parades cancelled during WWI

Suggested Search Terms

Mardi Gras, Carnival, Krewe, Fat Tuesday

Sample Articles

• “King Kommerce – Paraded the Streets of St. Martinville in Grand and Brilliant Pageant.” The weekly messenger. (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, March 02, 1895, Image 2.
• “Mardi Gras.” Lower coast gazette. (Pointe-a-la-Hache, La.) 1909-1925, February 12, 1910, Image 2.
• “Magnificent Pageant. – Mardi Gras Celebrated In Grand Style. – Floats Were Numerous and Beautiful.”The weekly messenger. (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, February 20, 1915, Image 2.
• “Bill Arp’s Weekly Letter. – He Explains Various Feast Days of the Season, Ancient Origin of Mardi Gras.” The Banner-Democrat. (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, April 15, 1899, Image 1.
• “Significance of the Carnival.” The Colfax chronicle. (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, February 12, 1910, Image 1.
• “Mardi-Gras. – Immense Crowds on the Streets.”The New Orleans crescent. (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, February 14, 1869, Morning, Page 4, Image 4.
• “Mardi Gras.” Semi-weekly Louisianian. (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, February 04, 1872, Image 2.
• “No More Negro Mardi Gras.”The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, March 14, 1914, Image 8.
• “Mardi Gras: A Tale of Ante Bellum Times.” The morning star and Catholic messenger. (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, February 26, 1871, Morning, Image 1.
• “Old Tim At The Carnival.” The Louisiana Democrat. (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, March 11, 1868, Image 2.
• “King Sucrose Grand Carnival.” The Weekly Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1898-1905, February 23, 1901, Image 1.
• “The Modern Bacchanalia.” The Banner-Democrat. (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, February 11, 1893, Image 1.