Happy Fat Tuesday! Mar 4, 2025

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," is a vibrant tradition that marks the last day of indulgence before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Rooted in ancient Roman celebrations like Saturnalia, Mardi Gras evolved as Christianity spread, blending local customs—most notably Carnival festivities—with religious observances. The name itself originates from French, with the word gras meaning "fat," referring to rich, fatty foods like meat, eggs, and cheese that are traditionally enjoyed before the fasting season begins.

© SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Mar 4, 2018Australian baobab tree, Kimberley region, Western Australia
Mar 4, 2019The eloquence of elephants
Mar 4, 2020A different kind of dive
Mar 4, 2021The most wonderful day of the year. Period.
Mar 4, 20222022 Winter Paralympics
Mar 4, 2023Mount Pico, Portugal
Mar 4, 2024Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sep 3, 2024Wilderness Act anniversary
Jan 16, 2018Lionfish off the coast of Indonesia
Jun 1, 2021Pretty poetic for a pit
Oct 17, 2018Let’s talk fossils
Nov 26, 2020Happy Thanksgiving from an expert face-stuffer
Oct 2, 2021A river on the tundra
Jun 19, 2024Juneteenth
Apr 15, 2023World Art Day
Nov 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
Oct 10, 2025Visiting the Mamanuca Islands for Fiji Day
Dec 4, 2018A viewer with a view
Mar 24, 2018Crimson-rumped toucanet in the Refugio Paz de Las Aves, Ecuador
Oct 21, 2019The Guggenheim turns 60
Apr 30, 2022International Jazz Day
Jul 25, 2018Splashes of color for Watercolor Month
Jan 4, 2023Earth at Perihelion
Jun 8, 2025World Oceans Day
May 6, 2020The (Inca) empire strikes back
Jan 29, 2025Chinese New Year
Feb 23, 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Apr 4, 2025National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC
Jan 15, 2020Harvest season begins
Jan 15, 2025Anniversary of the British Museum
Nov 1, 2019The National Museum of the American Indian
Dec 20, 2023Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
Oct 8, 2025World Octopus Day
Jan 20, 2023Penguin Awareness Day
Jun 13, 2020A gorge-ous mill in the Causses
Jun 25, 2023Al-Khazneh in Petra, Jordan
May 9, 2021Happy Mother s Day!