Fat Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, is often considered the last celebration before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. In 2010, the holiday was celebrated on February 16, and in 2011, it will fall on March 8. Fat Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday.

Carnival began as a costume festival in Catholic Italy during the 1600s, and was held just before Lent. The festival was called "Carnival" because the word "carnevale" translated to "to put away the meat," meat being against the dietary rules during Lent. Carnival was a final farewell to the "sins of the flesh," and during the celebration, people participated in a little self-indulgence before the 40 days of Lent began.Building Bridges Through Culture: History of Carnival

The tradition of the king cake was introduced to New Orleans by the French in 1870.Gumbo Pages: King Cake The name refers to the magi, or three kings, who came 12 days after Christmas bearing gifts for the Christ child.NovaReinna: King Cake A small plastic baby is hidden within the cake.

A king cake is actually not a cake, but a twisted sweet bread filled with cream cheese, pralines and fruits, and covered in a sweet frosting glaze with green-, purple- and gold-colored sugar sprinkled on top.NovaReinna: King Cake. It is Mardi Gras tradition that whoever is served the piece of bread with the baby inside is declared king or queen of the day, and is required to host the next party and serve king cake.NovaReinna: King Cake The king cake is only served between Twelfth Night (January 6) and Mardi Gras.Gumbo Pages: King Cake