Monday, March 4, 2013

When was the first Saint Patrick’s Day parade?


The first parade held in honor of Saint Patrick took place not in Ireland, but in the United States, on March 17, 1762. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.


* You can see the West Warwick Public Library in the 54th Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in West Warwick on Sunday, March 17. The parade begins at 1 p.m. at the intersection of 117 and Washington Street, and continues on to Main Street.