Tomorrow being St. Patrick’s Day one of the big traditions are all the parades. We are in a bunch here in Connecticut. But where and when did the tradition start? You might think it’s Ireland… but it’s actually not!
They have celebrated St. Patrick in Ireland since the 1600s, but the tradition of a St. Patrick’s Day parade actually began in America. Even before the United States was formed
Historical records show that a St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601 in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida.
Then over a century later, in 1737 a group of Irish soldiers serving in the English military who were homesick marched in Boston and in New York City on March 17.
From there the tradition stuck every year as people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with parades in New York City, Boston and other big cities. Now, there are parades in towns and cities all over.