The History of The Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade

Parade Feature:

The first Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade was celebrated in 1771, five years before the signing of The Declaration of Independence. In 1780, General George Washington issued a decree granting Irish soldiers a holiday on St. Patrick's Day in recognition of their courage and valor on the battlefield. The parade has endured continuously in various forms through the Revolutionary War, the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War, War World I and World War II, the Great Depression, the Vietnam and Korean conflicts, several periods of mass immigration, and periods of egregious prejudice towards Irish immigrants.

The Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade film utilizes extensive parade footage and archival materials along with interviews with several prominent members of the Irish American community in the Delaware Valley, members of the Irish Cabinet and prominent members of the Irish and Irish-American cultural and business communities. The film also explores how significant events in Irish history have manifested themselves in themes, demonstrations and protests throughout the parade's history. The soundtrack features several musical compositions from prominent members of the Irish American musical community