Today in History: St. Patrick’s Day
Today in History–March 17–the Library of Congress features St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorates the death of the patron saint of Ireland who, as legend has it, died on this date circa 492. The holiday has been celebrated in the United States since the 18th century. Across the country today, many people celebrate with parades and by wearing the color green. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to uncover St. Patrick’s Day treasures from the Library.
The story of St. Patrick’s Day from America’s Library
The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Massachusetts
The Irish of the Fifth District New Jersey
St. Patrick’s Day parade Lowell, Massachusetts 1905 film
St. Patrick’s Day message 1920 speech audio recording & transcript
The hat my father wore on St. Patrick’s Day 1909 song recording
Reminiscences of Ireland 1902 song recording
More Irish song recordings and stories
St. Patrick’s Day books & articles
St. Patrick’s Day historical newspaper coverage
Irish-American Heritage Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide
109 HCON 364 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of St. Patrick’s Day
More St. Patrick’s Day U.S. contemporary legislation
Library blog posts
- A Bit o’ Blarney from the Music Division
- Beyond the Blarney: A St. Patrick’s Day Look at Images of Irish Immigrants in America Teaching with the Library of Congress
- Dear Little Shamrock: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In The Muse
- Irish Law and St. Patrick’s Day on the Shelf In Custodia Legis
- Primary Sources for the Primary Grades: There’s More to Ireland than Shamrocks! Teaching with the Library of Congress
- St. Patrick’s Day in the Army Picture This
- The San Patricios: the Irish Heroes of Mexico In Custodia Legis
Related resources
- The Irish Standard Minnesota 1886-1920
- Kentucky Irish American newspaper 1898-1921
- World Spotlight: Ireland