Mar 10, 2024 - News
Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade through the years
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Photo: Bettmann via Getty Images
South Boston has been ground zero for Boston's annual celebration of Irish heritage since 1901.
- Here's a look at some standout moments from the last 123 years.
In the photo above, Sen. Edward Kennedy broke away from the snowy 1964 parade to greet children along the route.
In 1974, eight Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales pulled a red beer wagon, which can be seen at the top of the frame, through the streets of South Boston accompanied by local mounted police in the foreground.
The 1993 parade had to be postponed for two weeks, finally taking to Southie's streets March 28.
- It was the second year a group of gay Irish Americans marched in the parade against organizers' wishes and under the protection of a court order.
- Onlooker Brandon Krapes supported gay marchers with a pro-peace sign while some parade attendees shouted obscenities and slurs.
In 2015, parade organizers allowed the LGBTQ veterans group OutVets to march for the first time.
- Politicians who had boycotted the parade for years because of organizers' anti-LGBTQ stance returned to the route and the parade resumed its role as the city's highest-profile St. Patrick's Day event.