ST. PATRICK'S DAY
St. Patrick's Day kicks off a worldwide celebration also known as the Feast of St. Patrick. On March 17th, many will wear green in honor of the Irish and decorate with shamrocks. According to lore, the wearing of the green tradition dates back to a story written about St. Patrick in 1726. St. Patrick (c. AD 385–461) used the shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity and worn green clothing. And while the story is unlikely to be true, many will revel in the Irish heritage and eat traditional Irish fare, too. #StPatricksDay
NATIONAL 3-D DAY
National 3-D Day celebrates the art, science, and history of stereoscopic 3-D imagery. Every year, in March, on the third day of the third week of the third month, we explore the technologies used to create 3-D photographs, movies, and art, and we celebrate the many ways that these images have been viewed and enjoyed. #National3DDay
NATIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY
On March 17th National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day coincide with St. Patrick’s Day in the United States. #CornedBeefAndCabbageDay
Coming on March 18, 2026
National Days
NATIONAL SLOPPY JOE DAY
NATIONAL AWKWARD MOMENTS DAY
NATIONAL SUPREME SACRIFICE DAY
NATIONAL SBDC DAY
LACY OATMEAL COOKIE DAY
NATIONAL BIODIESEL DAY
Notable Birthdays for March 17
Norbert Rillieux (1806-1894) - Chemical engineer and inventor of the sugar refiner.
Cornelia Clapp (1849-1934) - First woman to earn a PhD (Marine biologist) in the U.S.
Jozef Mazur (1897-1970) - Stained glass artist and painter.
Bobby Jones (1902-1971) - Lawyer, professional golfer and co-founder of the Masters Tournament.
Bayard Rustin (1910-1987) - American civil rights leader who helped organize the March on Washington.
Nat King Cole (1919-1965) - Renowned Singer and pianist.
Zola Taylor (1938-2007) - Pop singer and member of The Platters.
Jim Gary (1939-2006) - Sculptor known for creating colorful dinosaurs made from discarded automobile parts.
Patrick Duffy (1949-Still Living) - Actor best known for his role as Bobby Ewing in the tv series Dallas.
American actor (1951-Still Living) - Multi-award winning actor with lead roles in Thing, Overboard, and Mean Seasons, to name a few.
Gary Sinise (1955-Still Living) - Multi-award winning actor with roles in Apollo 13, CSI: NY, and Forrest Gump.
Janet Gardner (1962-Still Living) - Lead singer for the rock band Vixen.
Kalpana Chawla (1962-2003) - The first woman of Indian origin into space (later died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster).
Rob Lowe (1964-Still Living) - Acclaimed actor with award winning roles in The Outsiders, St. Elmo's Fire, West Wing, and Youngblood.
Memorable Events for March 17
1762 - The first Saint Patrick's Day parade is held in NY City.
1854 - The first park land is purchased by a city in the U.S. (Worcester, Massachusetts).
1871 - The National Association of Professional Base-Ball players is organized.
1884 - John Joseph Montgomery makes the first glider flight at Otay, California.
1894 - The U.S. and China sign a treaty preventing Chinese laborers from entering U.S.
1898 - John Philip Holland achieves a successful test run for the first modern submarine off Staten Island.
1917 - The first all women's bowling tournament begins in St Louis, Missouri.
1958 - The U.S. launches the first solar-powered satellite.
1963 - Elizabeth Ann Seton (New York) becomes the first American to become canonized.
1968 - U.S. Army Chemical Corps conducts nerve gas testing in Skull Valley, Utah.
1995 - The U.S. approves the first chicken pox vaccine (Varivax).
