Category: History

New Orleans: Age-less Beauty

September 27, 2018

While the golden riches of New Spain captivated the attention of early explorers, the dawn of 1682 turned all eyes toward the Gulf as France, England, and Spain set out in a race to colonize both sides of our beloved Mississippi River. Then monarch of France, Louis XIV—for which the Louisiana territory was named—outfitted celebrated…
Carnival Traditions Around the World: Part 2

March 14, 2018

Carnival Around the World Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Though it now boasts one of the most vibrant Mardi Gras parties in the world, Brazil did not always celebrate this way. Dating back to 1723, Carnival was brought to Rio de Janeiro by the Portuguese. Their way of celebrating meant groups of men taking to…
Carnival Traditions Around the World: Part 1

February 4, 2018

Carnival Traditions Around the World: Part 1 While perhaps the epicenter, New Orleans is by no means the only place in the world to celebrate Mardi Gras. We are but one of many Mardi parties that take place across not only countries but continents. Varying from India to Germany, Canada to Belgium, carnival celebrations occur…
Fleur-De-Lis: How It Came to Be

July 7, 2017

France, Florence, or Catholicism: Where Did the New Orleanian Fleur-de-Lis Come From? It’s no secret that New Orleans is rife with the symbol of the fleur-de-lis, adorning wrought iron fences around the city, present on almost every tourist souvenir, and of course emblazoned on Saints helmets. But its history is more convoluted than w e…
Let Them Heat Cake: History of Doberge Cake

June 2, 2017

The Story of Doberge Cake Summer in New Orleans is hot. A simple, but nonetheless true statement. With temperatures over 90˚ and humidity that makes breathing feel like swimming, it’s hard to imagine doing anything but lounging beneath a blasting air conditioning vent and throwing back icy daiquiris. New Orleans culture, however, bows to no…