Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a celebration for all things Irish.
The world's first St. Patrick's Day parade took place on March 17, 1762, in New York City, featuring Irish soldiers serving in the English military. The parade became an annual event, with President Harry S. Truman attending in 1948.
Congress proclaimed March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1995, and the president issues a proclamation each year.
Here’s what President Obama said at a St. Patrick’s Day reception today which Irish dignitaries, including the Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen, attended:
We've all watched this week as the people of Northern Ireland and their leaders have responded nothing short of heroically to those who would challenge a hard-earned peace, and the thoughts and prayers of Americans go out to the families of the fallen. And I want everyone who is listening to know this: that the United States of America will always stand with those who work towards peace. And after seeing former adversaries mourning and praying and working together, I have never been more confident that this peace will prevail.
Today serves, as well, as a solid reminder of just how deeply intertwined, how deeply woven the ties between our nations are. Irish signatures are on our founding documents; Irish blood has been spilled on our battlefields; Irish sweat went into building our greatest cities. Tens of millions of Americans now trace their roots back to that little island that has made such a large impact on America – and I include myself in that category.
For generations, the Irish, along with so many other immigrant and ethnic groups, came to America equipped often with nothing more than faith and an unbending belief that success was possible for all who were willing to work hard for it. And that, after all, may be the reason Americans identify so strongly with the story of St. Patrick; the story of believing in the unseen – and of making that belief a reality.
And that's what the Irish did in this country. They struggled to create a place for themselves in a distant land. And with a commitment to faith and family and hard work, they transformed that land in the process. And even after all the generations of becoming and being Americans, their descendants have never lost the enduring spirit that insists on proclaiming themselves Irish still…
And tonight, in this room with all of you, I am reminded of the words of that great Irish poet, Yeats: There are no strangers here – only friends you haven't met yet.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody.
Many of the more than 36 million U.S. residents who claim Irish ancestry are celebrating today. Others who enjoy marking the holiday are joining them.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day and the “wearing of the green.” Enjoy yourself, dance a jig, and keep safe.
