Topic Guide to Mardi Gras

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

1856 - Mistick Krewe of Comus formed
1857 - 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 1872 - Carnival King is established
1872 - First organized daytime parade
1875 - The State of Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal holiday
1882 - Krewe of Proteus formed
1918-1919 - Parades cancelled during WWI

Suggested Search Terms

Mardi Gras, Carnival, Krewe, Mistick, Mystick, Nereus, Momus, Rex, Proteus, Comus, Fat Tuesday

Sample Articles

• "Festival of the Mistick Krewe" New Orleans Daily Crescent, March 10, 1859, Image 4
• "The Mardi-Gras Fesivities: Turnout of the Mistick Krewe" New Orleans Daily Crescent, February 23, 1860, Image 2
• "The Festivities of Mardi-Gras Night: Festival of the 'Mistick Krewe'" New Orleans Daily Crescent, February 14, 1861, Image 1
• "A. Head Unmasks the 'Mystic Krewe of Komus'" The New Orleans Crescent, February 23, 1868, Image 2
• “Old Tim At The Carnival” The Louisiana Democrat, March 11, 1868, Image 2
• “Mardi-Gras” The New Orleans Crescent, February 14, 1869, Image 4
• “Mardi Gras: A Tale of Ante Bellum Times” The Morning Star and Catholic Messenger, February 26, 1871, Image 1
• “Mardi Gras” Semi-Weekly Louisianian, February 04, 1872, Image 2
• "Mardi Gras in Covington" St. Tammany Farmer, January 10, 1880, Image 3
• “The Modern Bacchanalia” The Banner-Democrat, February 11, 1893, Image 1
• "Mardi Gras" The Weekly Messenger, January 12, 1895, Image 3
• “King Kommerce” The Weekly Messenger, March 02, 1895, Image 2
• "Mardi Gras" The Lafayette Advertiser, March 02, 1895, Image 3
• “Bill Arp’s Weekly Letter” The Banner-Democrat, April 15, 1899, Image 1
• "Carnival Low Rates" The Opelousas Courier, February 24, 1900, Image 4
• "Mardi Gras 1900" The Meridional, February 24, 1900, Image 4
• “King Sucrose Grand Carnival” The Weekly Thibodaux Sentinel, February 23, 1901, Image 1
• "The Thib'x Carnival" The Weekly Thibodaux Sentinel, January 18, 1902, Image 1
• "Carnival! Carnival!" The Weekly Thibodaux Sentinel, February 08, 1902, Image 1
• "What Becomes of the Floats Every Year" The Lafayette Advertiser, March 07, 1906, Image 6
• "Mardi Gras at New Orleans" The Lafayette Advertiser, January 30, 1907, Image 3
• "New Orleans Letter" The Donaldsonville Chief, February 16, 1907, Image 1
• "Abita Springs Carnival" St. Tammany Farmer, February 27, 1909, Image 4
• "The Carnival Celebration and Ball" St. Tammany Farmer, February 27, 1909, Image 1
• “Mardi Gras” Lower Coast Gazette, February 12, 1910, Image 2
• “Significance of the Carnival” The Colfax Chronicle, February 12, 1910, Image 1
• "The Abita Carnival" St. Tammany Farmer, February 12, 1910, Image 1
• "The Herald Prize Contest for Gay Maskers" The Herald, February 02, 1911, Image 1
• "The Mardi Gras Ball" The Caucasian, February 06, 1913, Image 1
• “No More Negro Mardi Gras” The Madison Journal, March 14, 1914, Image 8
• "Mardi Gras Celebration" The Weekly Messenger, February 06, 1915, Image 2
• “Magnificent Pageant” The Weekly Messenger, February 20, 1915, Image 2
• "Was it a Carnival?" The Herald, February 19, 1920, Image 2
• "Mardi Gras Will Surpoass Celebrations Before War" The Era-Leader, January 27, 1921, Image 2
• "Carnival Plans for Mardi Gras are Completed" The Donaldsonville Chief, December 09, 1922, Image 1