March 17 is World's Green Day

That's right, this coming Saturday, the 17^th of March, is the official World Green Day or St. Patrick's Day named after St. Patrick which is the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated by Irish worldwide. In the US and Australia, it is widely celebrated though it is not considered to be an official holiday. Celebrations are generally themed around all things green and Irish-by wearing green, eating Irish food, imbibing Irish drink, and attending parades. The Chicago River, has actually been dyed green for the 2005 St. Patrick's Day celebration.

The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five-day festival, over 500,000 people attended the 2006 parade. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in New York City and it is watched by 2 million spectators. The St. Patrick's Day parade was first held in Boston in 1737, organized by the Charitable Irish Society. New York's celebration began on 17 March 1766 when Irish soldiers marched through the city. Ireland's cities all hold their own parades and festivals. These cities include Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. Parades also take place in other Irish towns and villages. Other large parades include those in Savannah, Georgia (the second largest in the United States), Dallas, Cleveland, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Coat Bridge, Syracuse, New York (the largest parade per capita in the United States) and through-out most of the world. The parade held in Sydney, Australia is recorded as being the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

So I guess I'll be wearing green this Saturday (for I have no idea about Irish foods). How about you?