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Things that turn green on St. Patrick’s Day

Posted at 7:13 AM, Mar 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-17 07:13:34-04

Every year on St. Patrick's Day, the world around us suddenly looks a little ... jealous.

It's not just Kermit the Frog or the Incredible Hulk or that guy in your office with the green necktie. It's green food, green parades, green fountains and famous sites around the world that take on a greenish glow.

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 17: Rowers navigate the Chicago River shortly after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

There are numerous theories as to why green became the color of the holiday. It is one of the colors on the Irish flag. Green also is the color of a shamrock, a symbol of Ireland -- known as the Emerald Isle because of its lush vegetation. And traditional Irish legend held that wearing green made you invisible to leprechauns.

Regardless of the reason, the world unites around the color green on St. Patrick's Day. Here are some of the most notable green landmarks.

Rio's Christ the Redeemer

The 98-foot-tall statuein Rio de Janeiro gets a green glow.

The Colosseum

Rome's 2,000-year-old stadium takes on a green look.

The White House fountain

The fountain on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington is dyed green.

Bagpipers march on 5th Avenue during the annual New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 16, 2019. - The New York City St. Patrick's Day parade, dating back to 1762, is the world's largest St. Patrick's Day celebration. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)

The Chicago River

It takes 40 pounds of dye to turn the Chicago Rivergreen. The dye is a secret recipe.

The Empire State Building

The iconic New York skyscraperis lit green, white and orange.

St. Patrick's Day parades

And of course, green is the dominant color in March 17 parades around the world. Here, members of the County Carlow Association ride horses past St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue in New York. The city's St. Patrick's Day parade, dating back to 1762, is often called the world's largest.