Irish soda bread gets its name and distinctive character from the use of baking soda rather than yeast as a leavening agent.
Lime green chrysanthemums are often requested for St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations.
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the United States on March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City.
One of Canada’s longest-running St. Patrick’s Day parades takes place in Montreal, whose city flag include a shamrock.
There are 34.7 million U.S. residents with Irish ancestry.
There are more than 4.5 million Canadian residents with Irish origin.
In 2013, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield celebrated St. Patrick’s Day aboard the International Space Station.
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