St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in America since the 1730s, when Irish immigrants began arriving in large numbers. The holiday was initially a religious observance, but it gradually evolved into a more secular celebration of Irish culture and heritage.
In the early days, St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated mainly by Irish immigrants and their descendants. However, as the Irish population grew and assimilated into American society, the holiday became more widely celebrated. By the end of the 19th century, St. Patrick’s Day was being celebrated in cities and towns across the United States.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in America. It is a day for people of all backgrounds to come together and celebrate Irish culture and heritage. The holiday is typically celebrated with parades, parties, and other festivities.
Here are some of the highlights of St. Patrick’s Day in America:
- The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world. It is held on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and attracts over 2 million people each year.
- The Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade is also one of the largest in the world. It is held on South Boston and attracts over 1 million people each year.
- The Chicago River Dyeing is a unique St. Patrick’s Day tradition in Chicago. On the morning of March 17, the Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate the holiday.
- The White House St. Patrick’s Day Reception is an annual event hosted by the President of the United States. The reception is attended by Irish-American leaders and other guests.
Click HERE for St. Patrick’s Day events in Washington, DC. Also, HERE are 9 ways the Washingtonian offers as options to celebrate this year’s Irish heritage event.
