1. St. Patrick's Day was officially recognized as a holiday in Mississippi in 1828. The state has one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations, with parades in Jackson, Biloxi, and other cities.

2. The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, took place on March 17, 1862, during the Civil War. Mississippi troops fought on both sides of the battle, which was a Union victory.

3. Mississippi State University was founded on March 17, 1878, in Starkville, Mississippi. The school was originally called The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi.

4. On March 17, 1966, the Mississippi Legislature passed the Fair Housing Act, which prohibited discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.

5. In 2015, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed a bill officially recognizing the Magnolia as the state flower. The bill was signed on March 17, 2015, which is also St. Patrick's Day.