Every Year on March 17, St. Patrick's Day
Chicago River Dyed Green Since 1962
On the 16th (local time), a kayak floated on the Chicago River dyed green. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
The Chicago River in the United States was dyed green. This was part of a commemorative event held to celebrate 'St. Patrick's Day,' honoring Saint Patrick, who spread Christianity in Ireland.
On the 17th (local time), foreign media including AP News reported that the Chicago River flowing through downtown Chicago was dyed with green dye, the symbolic color of Ireland. St. Patrick's Day, a national holiday in Ireland, is celebrated every year on March 17. To commemorate this, over 100 cities including New York and Boston hold parades where participants wear green clothing. In particular, the event of dyeing the Chicago River green has been held annually since it was first started by the Journeyman Plumbers Local Union 130 in 1962. However, the event was temporarily suspended in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
To dye the river green, the plumbers' union rides boats along the river and sprinkles green dye. More than one million people gather each year to witness this. The dye used in the event is known to be an eco-friendly powder without chemical substances, but the exact manufacturing method is kept secret. Once the river is dyed green, the green color remains for several days before returning to its normal state.
Netizens posted photos of the Chicago River dyed green on social media platforms such as X, expressing reactions like "Finally saw the green river," "I will remember the river dyed green," and "This river created fun memories."
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