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White House goes green for St. Patrick’s Day

First lady took inspiration from her hometown to dye fountains green

Image: Fountain at the White House
Ron Edmonds / AP
The fountain in front of the White House flows with green water, Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
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updated 10:11 a.m. ET March 17, 2009

WASHINGTON - The White House is going green for St. Patrick's Day.

The water in the fountains on the north and south lawns of the White House has been dyed green to mark the national holiday of Ireland.

First Lady Michelle Obama came up with the idea for the festive touch, said spokeswoman Katie McCormick Lelyveld. She was inspired by the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in her hometown of Chicago, where the city marks the holiday by dyeing the river green.

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“It's a little piece of home for our new home,” said Lelyveld, who is also from Chicago.

Lelyveld said it's the first time the water in the White House fountains has been dyed. The green hue will stay until the dye runs outs.

President Barack Obama marks St. Patrick's Day with separate meetings in Washington with Irish leaders and he'll also attend St. Patrick's Day events in the White House and on Capitol Hill.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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