(Tenement Museum)

The first recorded parade honoring the Catholic feast day of
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland,was held in what is now
St. Augustine, Florida.

Records show that a St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on
March 17, 1601 in a Spanish colony under the direction of
the colony’s Irish vicar, Ricardo Artur.

More than a century later, homesick Irish soldiers serving
in the English military marched in Boston in 1737 and in 
New York City on March 1762. 

The dates of St.Patrick’s life cannot be fixed with
certainty, but there is general agreement that he
was active as a missionary in Ireland during the
fifth century.

By the mid-1980s, with a push from advertisers, the term "Presidents’ Day" began its public appearance.   

In Washington’s adopted hometown of Alexandria, Virginia, celebrations are held throughout February.         
      

The U.S. Postal Service, banks and stock markets will be
closed today, Monday Feb. 17, however most restaurants, grocery stores and retail stores will be open.

(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)