St Patrick's Day in Chicago

The Irish were one of the largest immigrant groups to settle in the United States, and they have been a very large and influential group in Chicago.

Why and When is the Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick's Day?

There are several stories about why and when this practice occurs. The Tribune reports no records of the Chicago River being dyed until 1962. Some suggested that it actually began in 1957, but that it was not reported in the press.

To achieve the green color, teams in boats spread a 40-pound canister of orange dye into the river. That dye color results in the deep emerald hue in the river "that always has a bit of bilious green tinge to it."

Some information about Chicago's Irish:

1836 - The Illinois and Michigan Canal opens, linking Lake Michigan and the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Much of the work was done by Irish laborers.

1882 - The Chicago Citizen, a weekly Irish newspaper, is founded by John F. Finerty.

December 1893 - John P. Hopkins becomes Chicago's first Irish Catholic mayor, narrowly defeating his Republic rival, George B. Swift.

1900 - Charles Comiskey, the son of an Irish immigrant, founds the Chicago White Sox.

1932 - Publication of James T. Farrell's first novel, Young Lonigan: A Boyhood in the Chicago Streets.

1955 - Richard J. Daly is elected mayor and stays in office until his death in December 1976.

1956 - Chicago's first modern St. Patrick's Parade (there was an earlier version in the 19th century).

1979 - The South Side Irish parade is founded.

This periodic e-bulletin summarizes information regarding major national and state holidays,
major religious observances celebrated by large groups of Americans, and other major American cultural observances.
It is one way in which students may quickly access information about our rich culture.
We encourage you to do further reading and other research.

Site developed by the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity at Eastern Illinois University.
Send questions and comments to insight@eiu.edu.

("The Irish in Chicago, A St. Patrick's Day Compendium of Local Lore",
Chicago Tribune, March 13, 1992, pg. 20 and "Chicago's Dyeing Claim to Fame?
Green River For St. Patrick's Day May Not Have Started Here," Chicago Tribune, March 13, 1999,
Chicagoland Edition, pg. 1. Photo from http://www.chicagostpatsparade.com/miracle.shtml)