1. St. Patrick's Day Parade

On March 17, 1762, the first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in New York City by Irish soldiers serving in the British army. The parade has become a beloved annual tradition, attracting thousands of spectators from around the world.

2. Irish Immigration

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, March 17 in New York was a significant day for Irish immigrants, who were some of the city's largest immigrant groups. In addition to the annual parade, many Irish immigrants attended church services and social events on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate their Irish heritage.

3. Tammany Hall and St. Patrick's Day

Tammany Hall, the infamous political machine that controlled New York City politics for generations, also played a role in St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The Tammany Society, founded in 1789, was a fraternal organization for Irish immigrants that later became closely associated with New York's Democratic Party.

4. Iconic Irish Bars

New York is home to some of the most iconic Irish bars in the world, many of which have been around for decades. On March 17, these bars are packed with revelers celebrating St. Patrick's Day with pints of Guinness and live music.

5. Response to Tragedies

St. Patrick's Day in New York has also been a time for the city to come together in the wake of tragedy. In 1911, a fire in a factory in the city's garment district killed more than 140 people, many of them young immigrant women. In response, the city's Irish community organized a massive St. Patrick's Day benefit concert that raised money for the victims' families. Similarly, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the St. Patrick's Day Parade was canceled that year to honor those who lost their lives.