Thousands of revellers, street artists and merrymakers took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations across the world on March.17, 2012.
The cultural and religious holiday is celebrated to commemorate Saint Patrick, one of the most recognised patron saints of Ireland.
Although the event is not a legal holiday in the U.S., nonetheless it is celebrated with great pomp and glory in the country. Mostly observed as a celebration of Irish and Irish American culture, the event is marked by prominent displays of the colour green, feasting, copious consumption of alcohol, religious observances and numerous parades.
The current annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations in New York included the 251st parade with even the Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg joining in the celebrations.
The holiday has been celebrated on the North American continent since the late eighteenth century, prior to the American Revolution.
Apart from this, dozens of other parades took place in cities and countries across the globe.
As part of the celebrations, 31 global landmarks turned green for the day, including the leaning tower of Pisa, Table Mountain, the London Eye, the Sydney Opera House and Burj al Arab in Dubai.
Even the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton joined in the celebrations by presenting shamrocks to Irish Guards during a visit to Aldershot Barracks in Aldershot, southern England.
Start the slideshow to get a glimpse of St. Patrick's Day celebrations across the globe:
Dennis O'Mann and his puppet Little Blarney of New York watch the 251st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York, March 17, 2012. ReutersU.S. President Barack Obama (C) gives a thumbs-up as he celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a pint of Guinness during a stop at the Dubliner Irish pub in Washington, March 17, 2012.ReutersSpectators gather for the St Patrick's Day parade in Trafalgar Square, in central London March 18, 2012.ReutersIrish Americans Jessica, Jenny and Byron (L-R) pose for a photograph as they head to Trafalgar Square for the St Patrick's day parade, in central London March 18, 2012. ReutersPhiladelphia Phillies outfielder John Mayberry Jr. (R) signs autographs for fans before a St. Patrick's Day spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Clearwater, Florida, March 17, 2012.ReutersThe fountain on the South Lawn of the White House flows with green water for St. Patrick's Day, in Washington, March 17, 2012. ReutersSeven-month-old Madison Grace of New Jersey watches the 251st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade with her mother in New York March 17, 2012. ReutersA marching band passes the St. Patrick's Cathedral during the 251st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York, March 17, 2012. ReutersA woman heads to Trafalgar Square for the St Patrick's day parade, in central London March 18, 2012. ReutersNew York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg walks in the 251st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York March 17, 2012.ReutersBritain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge presents shamrocks to members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards during a visit to Aldershot Barracks in Aldershot, southern England March 17, 2012. During the visit, the Duchess presented shamrocks to the Irish Guards at a St Patrick's Day parade .ReutersBritain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wears a shamrock on her lapel during a visit to Aldershot Barracks in Aldershot, southern England March 17, 2012. During the visit, the Duchess presented shamrocks to the Irish Guards at a St Patrick's Day parade . Reuters
