Today marks the 160th anniversary of Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.
The tradition of celebrating Mardi Gras in the U.S. likely began when the French came to Louisiana in 1699 and celebrated landing at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
But the current Mardi Gras tradition began in 1857, when the first krewe organized a parade featuring floats, riders and torch bearers.
Today's Fat Tuesday celebration will mark the end of a nearly three-week series of parades and parties involving dozens of krewes from around the state.
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