We’ve all been taught that Abraham Lincoln initiated the first official national Thanksgiving in America. What I just learned though is that George Washington might be the one responsible for making St. Patrick’s Day a de facto holiday for this country.
During the Revolutionary War and the winter of 1779-1780, the Continental Army was encamped in winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey. The situation was horrible. Food was scarce, many soldiers lacked clothing, and they were all underpaid by the dysfunctional Congress.
On March 16, 1780, General George Washington issued this message to his beleaguered troops.
The general congratulates the army on the very interesting proceedings of the parliament of Ireland and the inhabitants of that country which have been lately communicated; not only as they appear calculated to remove those heavy and tyrannical oppressions on their trade but to restore to a brave and generous people their ancient rights and freedom and by their operations to promote the cause of America.
Desirous of impressing upon the minds of the army, transactions so important in their nature, the general directs that all fatigue and working parties cease for tomorrow the seventeenth, a day held in particular regard by the people of the nation.
At the same time that he orders this, he persuades himself that the celebration of the day will not be attended with the least rioting or disorder, the officers to be at their quarters in camp and the troops of the state line to keep within their own encampment.
Washington’s affinity for the Irish obviously came from their aligned sentiments against the British Crown. Both the Americans and the Irish considered the King and Parliament oppressive of their people.
Giving his troops St. Patrick’s Day off was an admission of this unity, especially to the 20% or more of his soldiers who had immigrated to America from Ulster after being forced out by the British.
It was also a sign of Washington’s brilliance as a leader of men. The winter was harsh, possibly worse than the one at Valley Forge we are all taught about. The army hadn’t had a break in a year. Washington knew moral was horrible and he needed to hold his freezing, starving, and underpaid troops together.
Giving them the day off seems to be exactly what was needed.
A year and a half later, these troops would hundreds of miles south to Yorktown, Virginia. There with the assistance of the French army and navy, Cornwallis would be forced to surrender. This would lead to the end of the Revolutionary War and the recognition of the United States of America by Great Britain.
So on this Saint Patrick’s Day as we drink our green beer, scarf down our corned beef, and pinch those who forgot to wear green, let us think of those freezing soldiers in Morristown who got to take the day off.
And let us remember the wise advice of George Washington, “that the celebration of the day will not be attended with the least rioting or disorder.”