In 1952, Ireland's ambassador to Washington kicked off what became an annual custom by sending President Harry Truman a box of shamrocks. Four years later, the first St. Patrick's Day meeting between an American President and the Irish Taoiseach took place at the White House.

By the 1990s, a St. Patrick's Day visit from the leader of Ireland had become an annual tradition.

The Taoiseach's visit offers a moment to reflect on the importance of the Irish people and their descendants to American history. To that end, President Trump declared March 2018 as Irish-American Heritage Month. "For centuries, the tenacious Irish spirit, paired with American self-reliance, has helped Irish immigrants and their descendants realize incredible dreams," the President wrote. "With religious devotion, strength rooted in the love of family, and confidence in the promise of America, Irish Americans have engaged in the American experience in robust and meaningful ways."

These contributions date back to our Nation's beginning. At least eight signers of the Declaration of Independence, including four of the Founding Fathers, had Irish roots.

Presidents Andrew Jackson, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan all traced their ancestry back to Ireland. Today, no fewer than 33 million Americans claim Irish origins, including Vice President Mike Pence.

"My grandfather was very typical of the millions that would come to these shores. He embodied all that's best about the Irish—sturdy work ethic, faith in God, love of family, patriotism," the Vice President said. "And those are the enduring contributions of people of Irish descent in the history of this country."

During his visit, Taoiseach Varadkar plans to promote Ireland and Irish businesses, as well as continue to deepen his country's connection to its American ally.

"As we spend this month honoring Irish Americans, we also pledge to further strengthen our relationship with the Emerald Isle itself," President Trump wrote in this month's Proclamation. "We look forward to a bright future of greater friendship, cooperation, and commerce for centuries to come."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Pro-Life Victory for Preborn Babies with Down Syndrome in Ohio; Court Upholds Law Banning Abortions

Dismantling Some Abortion Lies, Half-Truths, and Propaganda

TX Bill Would Make It Illegal to Change the Gender of Minors, Charging Parents Who Consent With Child Abuse

Black Pro-Life Group Slams MLB's Decision to Pull All-Star Game Out of Georgia

Pentagon Develops Microchip That Detects COVID When Inserted Under Skin

Good News: Florida Reports COVID Deaths in Single Digits for First Time In Seven Months

Michigan Deputies Rescue an Abandoned 4-Month-Old Baby

'The Lord Has Blessed Me': 104-Year-Old WV Man Packs 1,000th Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child

US Recommends a 'Pause' in Administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine Due to Blood Clots

'They Can Take Our Facility, But We'll Just Find Another One': Canadian Church Goes Underground; Pastor Coates Leads from a Secret Location

A New Strategy to pass the Born-Alive Protection Act: How You Can Take Action

Alveda King: Voter ID Denial, Slavery and Abortion Are Identity Theft

More Than 30 States Now Considering Bills to Ban Sexually Confused Boys from Girls Sports

'This Means Everything': Sean Feucht Receives William J. Seymour Award at 2021 Azusafest; Reports ALS Sufferers Getting Out of Wheelchairs

Très Bien!: New Openness to the Gospel in France

'She's Unbelievable!': Baby Girl Miraculously Survives to Hug Twin Brother

Supreme Court Rules to Lift California's Restrictions on Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings in Private Homes

Rep. Dan Crenshaw Asking for Prayers after Undergoing Emergency Eye Surgery

PRAY: Iran Vows Revenge against Israel as Attack Inflicts 9 Months of Damage on Iran's Nuclear Program

Republicans Block Biden's Sending of $150 Million to Palestinians