This Day in History: , First St. Patrick's<br />Day Parade.<br />March 17, 1762.<br />The first St. Patrick's Day parade is widely <br />regarded as having been celebrated in New York City <br />by Irish soldiers serving in the British army.<br />The day honors the patron saint of Ireland, who was born to a Christian family in Britain in the 4th century.<br />St. Patrick is credited with converting <br />almost all of Ireland to Christianity <br />before his death.<br />One of the most revered legends about <br />the saint is his explanation of the Holy Trinity <br />using a three-leafed shamrock.<br />Early Irish immigrants brought his <br />feast day with them to America.<br />According to the National Retail Association, Americans spent nearly $6 billion for St. Patrick's Day in 2018
