St. Patrick’s Day: Parade, Facts & Traditions ‑ HISTORY

Topics

Featured

St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday known for parades, shamrocks and all things Irish. Find out how symbols we now associate with St. Patrick’s Day came to be.

History of St. Patrick’s Day Parades Around the World

New York City and the First St. Patrick’s Day Parade One of the earliest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America took place in Boston in 1737, when a group of Irish Protestants gathered to honor their homeland’s saint, a 5th century Christian missionary who died on March 17, 461, according to some claims. In the […]

History of St. Patrick’s Day

Who Was St. Patrick? Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In […]

Who Was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick Wasn’t Irish St. Patrick was born in Great Britain—not Ireland—to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives […]

Videos

See All

2:01 minTV-PG

Play

Featured

History of St Patrick’s Day Parades Around the World

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue is a New York City tradition, but did you know the first one was held even before the Declaration of Independence was signed?

Are Shamrocks Really Lucky?

Why are shamrocks associated with St. Patrick’s Day? The real history of this little green plant is steeped in religion, heritage, and Irish national pride.

Watch now