Did You Know? The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City took place on March 17, 1762—14 years before the Declaration of Independence! Organized by homesick Irish ex-pats and military members serving in the British Army, it was a way to celebrate their heritage while far from home.
But here’s a fun fact: New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the oldest and largest in the world! It has been held every single year for over 260 years—even during the Civil War, World Wars, and the Great Depression.
The parade features about 150,000 participants and attracts over 1 million spectators annually! Unlike other parades, NYC’s doesn’t allow floats or commercial advertising—just marching bands, bagpipers, and proud Irish heritage on display. And in 1948, President Harry Truman even joined in, marking a historic moment of Irish-American pride in the U.S.
New York truly knows how to celebrate! Have you ever been to the parade?
