St. Patrick’s Day usually conjures images of partying, Catholicism, Irish nationalism and, perhaps most famously, the color green: green clothes, green shamrocks, green beer and green rivers. But the holiday used to be a solemn feast day when you’d be far more likely to see the color blue.

It seems like everyone, deep down, wants to have some kind of connection to Ireland. Even if it’s through your best friend’s cousin’s neighbor’s cat, who once chased a leprechaun in Dublin, it's close enough.

Discover the past of Chicago's emerald waters and the festivities that capture the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.