To kilt or not to kilt: A St. Paddy's Day conundrum

[macwilkin]

I've worn my Kilt on Cinco de Mayo as well, just because. ( I learned later that it's not a good idea to wear your kilt on Cinco de Mayo, due to a bunch of Irish American's that commited treason against the USA during the war.)

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, refers to a battle fought at the city of Puebla in 1862, during the occupation of Mexico by Napoleon III. It has nothing to do with the Mexican War of 1846-48, in which the Battalion de San Patricio, made up of some Irish deserters from the US Army -- and there are a good number of myths associated with this unit, mostly that it was "all Irish", which isn't the case. Robert R. Miller's Shamrock & Sword debunks a number of these myths from both sides of the border.

Why do pipe and drum bands in the United States march and play (whilst kilted) in St. Patrick's Day parades?

Because the pipes are also associated with the Irish, and many police and fire departments, the traditional occupation of many Irish immigrants, have pipe bands.

Regards,

Todd