Chicago's Green Tradition: The Amazing River Dyeing

TLDREvery year, Chicago celebrates its Irish heritage by dyeing the Chicago River bright green. Started by plumbers in the 60s, this tradition attracts thousands of people from around the world. While the exact ingredients of the dye remain a secret, it is considered safe. However, environmental groups question its transparency and potential harm to the river ecosystem.

Key insights

🍀Chicago's tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day started in the 60s by plumbers.

🌍The tradition has become iconic, attracting thousands of people from around the world to witness the green river.

🌿While the exact ingredients of the green dye are a secret, it is considered safe and vegetable-based.

🌊Environmental groups question the transparency of the dye and its potential impact on the river ecosystem.

💚The green dye flows from the Chicago River to the Mississippi River, the Gulf, and eventually the Atlantic Ocean, symbolizing a green path from Chicago to Ireland.

Q&A

Who started the tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green?

—The tradition was started by plumbers from the Chicago journeyman's Plumbers Local Union in the 60s.

How many people visit Chicago to witness the green river?

—The tradition attracts thousands of people from around the world.

Is the green dye safe?

—The exact ingredients of the green dye are a secret, but it is considered safe and vegetable-based.

Do environmental groups have any concerns about the river dyeing tradition?

—Yes, environmental groups question the transparency of the dye and its potential impact on the river ecosystem.

What does the green dye symbolize?

—The green dye symbolizes a green path from Chicago to Ireland as it flows from the Chicago River to the Atlantic Ocean.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Chicago has a unique tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day.

01:10The green dye used in the river was initially used by plumbers to detect leaky pipes and pollution.

01:46While the exact ingredients of the green dye are a secret, it is considered safe and vegetable-based.

01:54Environmental groups question the transparency of the dye and its potential impact on the river ecosystem.

02:09The tradition attracts thousands of people from around the world to witness the green river.

02:36The green dye flows from the Chicago River to the Mississippi River, the Gulf, and eventually the Atlantic Ocean.

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