Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday", is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, is celebrated in many countries around the world, mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations, on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. Brazil, Venice and New Orleans play host to some of the holiday's most famous public festivities, drawing thousands of tourists and revelers every year.
Thanks to a friend from Alabama who let me know that "Mardi Gras began in the United States in the 1700's by a man by the name of Joe Cain. It was started in Mobile (AL) a good 17 years or more before the City of New Orleans was even incorporated." Apparently, the Gulf Coast know how to have a really, really good time (much like IMVU-ers).