While most food holidays seem to be created for no other reason than because a certain food's in season -- or because (our pet theory) that the murky Powers That Be bought a few too many fill-in-the-blanks at the local farmer's market -- today's actually has an interesting story behind it: International Cachaça Day is celebrated every year on this date because it marks the anniversary of Portugal declaring the beverage illegal in their colony of Brazil in 1744. Now whether this story is real, or apocryphal, or simply a clever marketing scheme, no one's really sure. But it kind of doesn't matter. (You know, print the legend, etc.) So, let's celebrate this once-maybe-possibly-illegal drink by showcasing the variety of ways it's mixed around the world.
The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
The early days of the movies in Los Angeles inadvertently allowed visitors to experience the largest collection of animals in the western United States. When animals weren't appearing in a movie, they were rented out to other film companies, performed for studio visitors, or in the case of filmmaker William Selig's collection — an opportunity to create one of Los Angeles' first zoos.
Whether it was a parade, dance, tea party, home celebration or just enjoying a good ol' wee dram of whisky, here's a photo essay of how Los Angeles donned its green apparel to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and embrace the luck o' the Irish over the years.