From Wars to the Spanish Flu: Why New Orleans Mardi Gras Has Been Canceled in the Past-- Part 1

From Newsweek by Jon Jackson.

For the first time in decades, New Orleans had no grand celebration to mark Mardi Gras.  The parade was canceled by New Orleans officials because of the ongoing pandemic.  Bars and restaurants are shuttered and  barricades are set up on Bourbon Street  to discourage mass partying.

Since its inception in  1857 by the Mistick Krewe of Comus, New Orleans Mardi Gras has been canceled or massively scaled back 14 times.  (Krewes are  social groups that organize the parades in case you're wondering.)

The first disruption came during the Civil War  Parades and celebrations were halted from 1862, just before Northern forces captured the Confederate city, until they resumed in 1866.   They continued until 1875 when they were again canceled due to civil unrest following the Battle of Liberty Place.

This battle occurred when the Crescent City White League, a militia made up mostly of Confederate veterans,  tried to take control of the Louisiana state government  by force in September 1874.

--RoadDog