St. Patrick’s Day, a beloved celebration of Irish culture, is being enthusiastically observed in cities across the United States this Monday. New York City is particularly known for hosting one of the country’s oldest and largest parades, which is now in its 264th year. This grand event takes place along the iconic Fifth Avenue, with around 150,000 participants and an anticipated 2 million spectators each year.
In addition to New York, other cities such as Savannah, Georgia, are also holding major festivities today. Some cities with strong Irish heritage, like Chicago, celebrated a bit earlier over the weekend. Chicago is famous for its tradition of dyeing the river bright green, attracting many visitors. Boston and Philadelphia also marked St. Patrick’s Day with lively parades on Sunday.
While celebrations occur in American cities, the highlight of festivities in Ireland occurs in Dublin, which culminates its three-day festival with a grand parade on March 17. Other cities, like Liverpool in England, which has a rich connection to Irish immigration, are also hosting their own celebrations.
These parades, which originally honored Ireland’s patron saint, have become a platform for celebrating Irish heritage around the world. The tradition of festive gatherings on March 17 dates back to Irish immigrant communities in the 19th century, who faced significant challenges and discrimination in their new homeland.
The New York City parade dates all the way back to 1762, well before the United States gained independence. It steps off at 11 a.m. and runs from East 44th Street to East 79th Street. Each year, local leaders, including politicians and community organizations, join the march, showcasing a spirit of unity and pride. This year, the grand marshal of the parade is Michael Benn, who has long been involved with the St. Patrick’s Parade in Rockaway Beach.
As we celebrate these rich traditions, it’s important to reflect on the resilience of immigrant communities who have significantly shaped American culture and identity.
