(Undated) — The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations of today have roots that stretch all the way back to the 18th century. The Irish holiday is marked by parades, festivals and parties across the world. Though the Patron Saint of Ireland died somewhere around the fifth century, his legacy remained and the celebrations gradually developed into those we attend today. New York City started one of the first parades back in 1762 and it was in 1798 that the color green became a symbol of the holiday. The parade in New York is now the oldest and most popular St. Patty’s Day parade in the United States, though Boston’s rich Irish culture and Chicago’s green river give the Big Apple a run for its money.
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