Heavily armed officers kept a no-nonsense eye on security around the parade route as a pipe band played 'God Bless America.'

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Cardinal Archbishop Timothy Dolan, and Police Commissioner Patrick O'Neil at the St Patrick's Day parade, New York

 

Governor Andrew Cuomo also walked along the with the group, wearing a green, white and orange banner and waving his Irish flag

Thousands of people cheered as the New York National Guard's 'Fighting 69th' brought its mascots – Irish wolfhounds.

Additionally, dressed in the traditional olive green camouflage, the 69th regiment of New York led the parade for the 165th year, accompanied with a bagpipe-player. It was originally the organized militia for Irish immigrants in New York.  

More than 150,000 people marched from 44th to 79th streets

 

Bagpipe players outside St Patrick's Cathedral in New York for the St Patrick's Day Parade

St. Patrick's Cathedral displayed both the American and Irish flags. A special Mass was held there before the parade stepped off. 

The route also passed Trump Tower, the home of President Donald Trump and his family. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio made an appearance in the parade, walking alongside Police Commissioner Patrick O'Neil. Governor Andrew Cuomo also walked along the with the group, wearing a green, white and orange banner and waving his Irish flag.

 
A gingery woman wears a painted on gold shamrock as she watches the annual New York City parade

 

The route also passed Trump Tower, the home of President Donald Trump and his family

There was barely a trace of the city's Tuesday snowstorm after sanitation crews scrambled to clear off the iconic street. It was even a relatively warm and sunny day.

This year's parade was dedicated to New York's Catholic charities and the New York State Police, both of which turned 100 years old this year. 

The parade also honored NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who died last year at the age of 59. He was shot in 1986 while confronting a bicycle thief, and was paralyzed from the waist down, but publicly forgave the shooter

Marching in the parade, members of the FDNY honored EMT Yadira Arroyo, carrying a banner displaying her picture and name with the words 'Rest in Peace'. She was killed Thursday night in the Bronx after police said she was struck down by her own ambulance that had been stolen, reported WINS. 

The parade also honored NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who died last year at the age of 59. He was shot in 1986 while confronting a bicycle thief, and was paralyzed from the waist down, but publicly forgave the shooter. 

Stadiums, statues, castles and towers around the world will go green today, with big new additions for 2017 including the One World Trade Center in New York- the main building of the re-built World Trade Center in New York and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

 

 

According to dailymail.co.uk

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

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