St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s most famous holiday, has spread across the nation to well known cities such as Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

It was first celebrated in the United States in 1737. The city of Boston took the traditional Irish holiday and added an American flare.

Shamrocks, leprechauns and green clothing are some of the many traditions symbolizing the Irish-American festivities held on March 17.

Perhaps the most notable affair on St. Patrick’s Day is the parade held annually in New York City. The event is the oldest civilian parade in the world. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in 1776 to help Irish-American soldiers rekindle their Irish flame. With an average of 75 floats and 150,000 paraders, its size has yet to be outdone by any other in America.

Chicago has adapted a peculiar Irish tradition. Since 1962, the city has released 100 pounds of green dye into the Chicago River in order to mark the occasion. To minimize environmental damage, the weeklong event has since been reduced to several hours.

Despite popular belief, the color green is not associated with this holiday in Ireland. The color brings painful reminders of their former green flag that flew at a time when Ireland was not free.
Green is worn by Americans who associate the color with that of the legendary Irish shamrock, yet another symbol of St. Patrick’s Day.

The renowned Irish shamrock is the national emblem of Ireland. Irishman wore shamrock shaped badges on their lapels in order to signify their Irish nationalism on St. Patrick’s Day.

The luck of the shamrock has been generously accepted in American culture.

“I always look for four leaf clovers when I get the chance,” said sophomore, Staci Colburn.

People tend to believe that four leaf clovers bring luck, along with tiny green men. Leprechauns, fairy-like men who prance around with gold-filled pots, have become the icon of St. Patrick’s Day.

Dressed in green suits and tiny buckled shoes, these little men are easily recognized, but not so easily found. Myths have sparked hopes that these men can lead a person to his pot of gold if they can be caught. St. Patrick’s Day has become a holiday looked forward to not just by the Irish, but by everyone.

“St. Patrick’s Day rules! I celebrate it every year, even though I’m not Irish,” sophomore, Drew Demberg said.

If you haven’t had the chance yet, make this your year to chase after some little green men and search your yard for that one special four-leaf clover!