Happy St. Patrick’s Day! St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, also known as St. Paddy’s Day or St. Patty’s Day, it’s the one day each year that everyone and anyone can call themselves Irish – if not by birthright, then in spirit. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other single-day national festival, although it is not an official holiday in America. Parades are the heartbeat of St. Patrick’s Day festivities in America. This is not surprising, since the first parade held in St. Patrick’s honor took place in America, not Ireland, in 1601 in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. The first actual St. Patrick’s Day parade also took place in America, in 1737, although it was pretty much just a stroll down the middle of a street in Boston by a few Irish Protestants to honor the patron saint of their motherland. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City was held in 1762, 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and was organized by Irish troops serving in British colonies. Today the world’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration is the annual parade in New York City. 

Fun Fact: If you are not wearing green on St. Patricks Day you get pinched 😉 🤏