The St. Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue is a New York City tradition, but did you know the first one was held even before the Declaration of Independence was signed?

FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

RELATED CONTENT

Distinguish St. Patrick's Day myths from reality and find out why this holiday is celebrated by millions of Irish people around the world.

In his annual 1947 St. Patrick's Day radio address to the United States broadcast from Dublin, Prime Minister of Ireland Eamon de Valera reminds the world of Ireland's plight and asks for support in the effort to reunite the country.

Famous Fat Dave gets a hands-on history of a traditional St. Patrick's Day food: classic Irish stew.

St. Patrick converted the Irish to Christianity, but there's more to know about Ireland's patron saint - like the fact that he wasn't Irish.

Get the real story about this beloved Irish holiday and the patron saint it's named after.

Green was not the first color associated with St. Patrick, so just how did green come to represent the holiday?