In 1699, French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and his crew landed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, marking the first European settlement in the region. February 10th that year saw their initial footprints imprinted on the sands near present-day Biloxi, a momentous event commemorated 327 years later. Historians debate the exact location, with the beach near Edgewater Mall being a leading candidate, though the precise spot remains unknown. This landing was pivotal for France, aiming to establish a Gulf port, counter Spanish and English influence, and secure the Mississippi River mouth for trade, especially in furs.

The expedition, commissioned by King Louis XIV, carried woodsmen, pirates, and marines, including Iberville and his brother Jean Baptiste, who would later found New Orleans. Their arrival fundamentally shaped the Coast's identity, leaving a legacy evident in Mardi Gras traditions and the region's unique cultural blend.