St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, the saint’s religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast–on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

ST. PATRICK AND THE FIRST ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.

More than 100 St. Patrick's Day parades are held across the United States; New York City and Boston are home to the largest celebrations.

Since around the ninth or 10th century, people in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17. Interestingly, however, the first parade held to honor St. Patrick’s Day took place not in Ireland but in the United States. On March 17, 1762, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY, NO IRISH NEED APPLY AND THE “GREEN MACHINE”

Up until the mid-19th century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to 1 million poor and uneducated Irish Catholics began pouring into America to escape starvation. Despised for their alien religious beliefs and unfamiliar accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country’s cities took to the streets on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.

The American Irish soon began to realize, however, that their large and growing numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the “green machine,” became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman attended New York City‘s St. Patrick’s Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish Americans whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in the New World.

THE CHICAGO RIVER ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY

As Irish immigrants spread out over the United States, other cities developed their own traditions. One of these is Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River green. The practice started in 1962, when city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges and realized that the green dye might provide a unique way to celebrate the holiday. That year, they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river–enough to keep it green for a week! Today, in order to minimize environmental damage, only 40 pounds of dye are used, and the river turns green for only several hours.

Although Chicago historians claim their city’s idea for a river of green was original, some natives of Savannah, Georgia (whose St. Patrick’s Day parade, the oldest in the nation, dates back to 1813) believe the idea originated in their town. They point out that, in 1961, a hotel restaurant manager named Tom Woolley convinced city officials to dye Savannah’s river green. The experiment didn’t exactly work as planned, and the water only took on a slight greenish hue. Savannah never attempted to dye its river again, but Woolley maintains (though others refute the claim) that he personally suggested the idea to Chicago’s Mayor Richard J. Daley.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY AROUND THE WORLD

Today, people of all backgrounds celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, especially throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore and Russia.

In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day was traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use interest in St. Patrick’s Day to drive tourism and showcase Ireland and Irish culture to the rest of the world. Today, approximately 1 million people annually take part in Ireland‘s St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions and fireworks shows.

Source: The History of St. Patrick's Day, history.com

Want to learn more? Check out this St. Patrick's Day, Bet You Didn't Know YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/CXmxooGQ_Dg

Thumbnail image courtesy of Heavypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release February 29, 2016

Presidential Proclamation -- Irish-American Heritage Month, 2016

IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2016

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Hailing from the Emerald Isle, generations of Irishmen and women have helped shape the idea of America, overcoming hardship and strife through strength and sacrifice, faith and family. With an undying belief that tomorrow always yields a brighter day, Irish Americans symbolize the perpetual optimism that defines our country, and they have long embodied the truth at the heart of our promise -- that no matter who you are or where you come from, in America, you can make it if you try.

As we celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month, we recognize the Irish people's contributions to our country's dynamism, and we reaffirm the friendship and family ties between our two nations. For centuries, sons and daughters of Erin have come to America's shores, adding to our rich vibrancy and putting their full hearts into everything they do. From building our country's cities as preeminent architects and earnest laborers to building our national character as people of great joy and cherished culture, Irish Americans have endured intolerance and discrimination to find a place for themselves and their children here in the United States. While remembering the great Irish Americans of the past, we celebrate what forms the foundation of the lasting Irish-American story -- a shared embrace of hard work and humility, fairness and dignity, and a mutual quest to secure a freer and more peaceful future.

Today, the United States and Ireland enjoy a thriving and cooperative bond buoyed by a strong legacy of exchanges between our peoples. During Irish-American Heritage Month, let us pay tribute to the extraordinary mark Irish Americans have made on our Nation, and let us look forward to continued collaboration, friendship, and partnership between our countries.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2016 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.

BARACK OBAMA

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Start your online application here: http://bit.ly/ApplyTFA

Right now, fewer than 10% of students from low-income communities graduate from college. All children in this country deserve an education that gives them the opportunity to realize their fullest potential. Teach For America (TFA) seeks passionate, social justice-driven seniors and graduate students from all majors and backgrounds.

Apply by March 4th (job offers go out April 25) for the Teach For America corps member position, a two year teaching commitment (ranging from pre-K to 12th grade) in one of 52 low-income communities across the country. You’ll earn a full salary (up to $51,000/year) and benefits, state teaching certification, and an optional Master’s degree. Beyond the two years, our alumni are change agents, inside and outside of schools, tackling issues in education, law, medicine and beyond.

 Who We Look For | Where & What You’ll Teach | Training & Support| How to Apply | Alumni Profiles

The event is free and open to the public. Learn more about the book at www.deepaiyer.com.

The CBCF Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Delegation is a study abroad program designed to provide African-American students living or attending school in Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) member districts with the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and learn Mandarin during a two-week visit to China. Through this initiative, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) aims to promote African Americans’ interest in career and study options involving US-China relations, thereby expanding opportunities for African Americans in an era of increasing globalization.

 The CBCF Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Delegation program dates are June 2, 2016 – June 20, 2016.

 In 2016, one (1) group of 20 students will participate in the program. Students will take part in orientation activities in Washington, DC before leaving for China and in a debrief session in Washington, DC upon their return. Students will participate in a challenging and rewarding program during their two weeks in China that includes academic, cultural and reflection activities.

 The 2016 program is open to students who meet the following criteria:

 ·       Live OR attend school in a CBC member district. Visit house.gov and our “CBC Member list”: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.academicworks.com/clients/cbcfinc/client/1447083136/2016%20CBC%20Districts%20-%20General%20Mills.pdf  to see if they are in the CBC. Students who live or go to school in New Jersey are all represented by a CBC member

·       Enrolled in an HBCU, predominantly-black schools, or majority institutions; for community college students, must be graduating in May 2016

·       Majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics-related (STEM) fields, business or trade

·       Completing their second, third, or fourth year of college in May 2016 based on credits earned

·       Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

·       Have a valid passport at the time they submit their application

·       U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.

 All of the scholars’ housing, travel and meals in China are covered by the China-US Exchange Foundation. CBCF covers participants’ housing and most of their meals during their stay in Washington, DC; CBCF also covers the scholars’ ground transportation in Washington, DC once the program has started.

 Prospective applicants can apply by completing the two part application: A General Application for everyone applying to a CBCF program and Supplemental Questions specific to the China Study program.

 To access the application, please visit https://cbcfinc.academicworks.com/opportunities/342. Students applying for the China Study program must complete both parts. You will see the Supplemental Questions after completing the General Application.

 The application requires:

 ·       2 completed recommendation letters (Ideal recommenders would be a dean, department chair, academic advisor, or employer.)

·       Resume (1-3 pages)

·       Recent professional-looking photograph

·       Color copy of passport (and permanent resident card for legal residents)

·       Responses of no more than 500 words each to “3 of 4 essay questions”:https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.academicworks.com/clients/cbcfinc/client/1425327661/US-China%20Delegation%20Essay%20Question%20Selection.pdf.

·       Official transcript MAILED to: CBCF Inc., Attn: US-China Program, 1720 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

 See attached CBCF Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Delegation flyer. Learn more and apply at the following website: https://cbcfinc.academicworks.com/opportunities/342. The application deadline is March 1, 2016.

 If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Christina D. Sullivan-Mutia, Manager- Leadership Institute for Public Service, with the CBCF at(202) 263-2821 or csmutia@cbcfinc.org.