The Case of the Emerald Entourage: How Long Has Chicago Been Dipping Its Toes in the Green Stuff?
Ah, Chicago. The Windy City. City of Broad Shoulders. And, of course, the city that magically transforms a river into a shamrock shake every St. Patrick's Day. But for you history buffs (or maybe just those curious about the origins of green water), how long has this aquatic dye job been a tradition? Buckle up, folks, because we're diving into the murky (but not that murky, thanks to the dye) history of the Chicago River's emerald transformation.
From Leaky Pipes to Luminous Lakes: The Accidental Inspiration
Believe it or not, the story starts with, well, a plumber. In 1961, a Chicago Plumbers Union boss named Stephen Bailey spotted a rather interesting sight: a plumber's overalls stained a glorious shade of green. Now, some might see a laundry dilemma, but Mr. Bailey saw an opportunity. This wasn't just any green, mind you, this was a vibrant, festive green that screamed St. Patrick's Day. And thus, a legend was born (or should we say, dyed?)
Thinking Big (and Then Downsizing to a More Manageable Body of Water)
Mr. Bailey, ever the ambitious fellow, originally envisioned dyeing the entirety of Lake Michigan a festive green. Can you imagine? St. Brendan himself would be cheering from the afterlife! Unfortunately, after some quick calculations (and maybe a concerned chat with some environmental folks), they decided a whole lake might be a tad excessive. So, they opted for the, ahem, slightly smaller Chicago River.
Dye Another Day: The Secret Formula and the Enduring Tradition
Fast forward to 1962, and the first official dyeing of the river took place. Since then, the Chicago Plumbers Union has continued the tradition, making the city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations one-of-a-kind. Here's the kicker: the exact formula for the dye is a closely guarded secret. Is it leprechaun tears? Rainbow dust? Discarded green Skittles? The world may never know (although we're pretty sure it's safe for little fishies).
So, How Many Years Has the River Been Green?
Drumroll please... As of today, May 4th, 2024, the Chicago River has been turning festive green for a whopping 69 years! That's right, nice. (Sorry, we couldn't resist). So next time you see that emerald green river flowing through Chicago, you'll know it's not just a plumbing mishap, but a well-established tradition with a rather unique origin story. Here's to many more years of green rivers, shamrock shenanigans, and celebrating Irish heritage in the Windy City!
