Heritage

In 1991 President George Bush first proclaimed the entire month of March of that year as Irish-American Heritage Month throughout the United States. Governor Parris N. Glendening similarly proclaimed March 1996 as Irish-American Heritage Month throughout Maryland. Governor Glendening's proclamation states in part "Whereas our citizens proudly salute the forty-four million Americans and approximately seven hundred and fifty thousand Marylanders of Irish ancestry who proudly contribute to virtually every aspect of life to include labor, education, business and industry, the nursing and medical professions, all levels and kinds of government service, the arts, science and engineering, law enforcement and the fire fighting services, now, therefore, I Parris N. Glendening, Governor of the State of Maryland, do hereby proclaim March 1996 as Irish-American Heritage Month in Maryland, and do commend this observance to all of our citizens."

Many tens of thousands of Irish had already immigrated to the United States before the mid-nineteenth century. However, it was the Irish immigrants' ability to not only survive the horror of the Great Hunger, but to also flourish in their newly adopted country. Irish immigrants and Irish-Americans continue today to profoundly effect life in Maryland and the United States. There is indeed a surge of interest and popularity in the literature, dance, music, history, song, art and culture of the Irish-Americans and Irish. As we stand facing the dawn of a New Millennium, one can only wonder about the future and the amazing and unfolding story of the Irish-Americans.