As many of you don your green and shamrocks, hoping to capitalize on a little luck o’ the Irish—we’re taking a look back at this day in history! How many of you knew that in March, more than 250 years ago, George Washington issued general orders proclaiming St. Patrick’s Day a holiday for his weary troops?
Earlier this month, when Virginia continued to get pummeled by snow, we mentioned the harsh winter of 1779-1780. Ice piled 20 feet high along the east coast—and much of it didn’t melt until spring! Washington’s Continental Army was cold, hungry, and as you can image, morale was likely at an all-time low. That’s when, according to the History Channel, Washington “did what any good boss would do; he gave his troops the day off.” And that says a lot since his soldiers didn’t even get Christmas off that preceding winter. In fact, this was their first day off in more than a year!
While St. Patrick’s Day was a holiday rarely observed in America, Washington recognized the Irish heritage of many of his soldiers. They may not have downed mugs of green ale, but according to this article, they at least “enjoyed a hogshead of rum purchased by their commander.”
It turns out this holiday had special significance for George Washington, especially two years prior to this in 1776. Legend has it on March 17 of that year, Washington selected a secret password exchange for the first troops to re-enter Boston after his first major strategic victory since assuming command of the Continental Army in Cambridge. You’ll have to click on the full article to get that piece of the story!
Looking for a cocktail to make your own St. Patrick’s Day toast? Click here for five easy recipes, including this Irish Mule!
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