Whether you’re Irish or a leprechaun wanna-be… everyone loves a good St. Patrick’s Day Parade! You may have heard the expression “Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” Though St. Patrick’s Day is the national holiday of Ireland, it is celebrated world wide… from North America to Argentina, Germany to Montserrat, Mexico to Russia. Originally a religious celebration in observance of the death of Saint Patrick (circa 385 – 461), one of the Irish patron saints, it has now become more of a holiday to celebrate the Irish culture and it’s influences worldwide.
The United States has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day well before it’s independence from Great Britain. The first St. Patrick’s Day and parade in North America was held in Boston in 1737 followed by New York City in 1756. While St. Patrick’s Day originated in Ireland, the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in Chicago with over 2 million spectators and participants. The US, with it’s large Irish ancestry, has parties, parades and events throughout the country. Are you planning to “Go Green” in March? The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades are:
- Chicago, Illinois, since 1843 – Over 2 Million Spectators
- New York City, Since 1756 – Tied with Chicago
- Savannah, Georgia – Over 400,000
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Another pre-Declaration of Independence aged St. Patrick’s Day
- Kansas City, Missouri – 200,00 spectators
- Boston, Massachusetts
- San Francisco, California – Oldest and biggest west of the Mississippi
- Houston, Texas
- Cleveland, Ohio
- New London, Wisconsin