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Why was the parade held on Saturday if St. Patrick’s Day is today, March 17?

Today is St. Patrick’s Day but New York has already held its parade in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. They moved the event for religious reasons.

Eduardo MunozREUTERS

Americans mark St. Patrick’s Day every year, although it is not a federal holiday. Observed on March 17th, the day commemorates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

The holiday is widely celebrated across the US, particularly in cities with large Irish-American populations such as New York City, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia.

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St. Patrick’s Day celebrations often include parades, festivals, parties, and various cultural events. Many people wear green clothing and accessories, and buildings and landmarks are often illuminated with green lights.

Traditional Irish food and drink, such as corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and Guinness beer, are commonly enjoyed during the festivities.

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Why was the parade held on Saturday if St. Patrick’s Day is today, March 17?

Although the holiday falls on March 17, Manhattan already celebrated Irish pride with the 236rd New York St. Patrick’s Day parade that took place yesterday.

Revelers from around the US and Ireland traveled to take part in the celebration, which is regarded as the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world, dating back to 1762.

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New York City advanced the parade due to religious reasons. The city traditionally holds the festivities on March 17, with exceptions.

“If the 17th falls on a Sunday, then the parade is held on Saturday, March 16th in order to observe the Sunday Sabbath,” according to the official website of the event.

While St. Patrick’s Day is rooted in Irish culture and heritage, it has become a widely celebrated and popular holiday in the United States, embraced by people of all backgrounds as an opportunity for fun and merrymaking all dressed in green, and for partying with green-colored food and drink.

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