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

Yankees' Aaron Judge Ties Roger Maris' 61-year Record of 61 Home Runs in a Single Season

Swimmer Who Competed against 'Lia' Thomas Teams Up With Rand Paul to Protect Women's Sports from Transgender Activism

Michigan Homeowner Who Shot Elderly Pro-Life Volunteer in the Back as She Was Leaving Claims It Was An Accident

YouTube May Have Yanked New Italian PM's Viral Speech, but This One's Just as Good

Italy Election: Polling Finds Wealthiest Voted Left, Working and Middle Voted Right

The Left Is Hoping DeSantis Botches Hurricane Response. Here's What They Didn't Count On...

Samaritan's Purse Sends Disaster Units to Respond in Storm-devastated Florida Communities

Sharks in the Streets, Homes Floating Away; Monster Storm Ian Now Heads to Georgia and Carolinas

God's Smuggler: Brother Andrew Who Smuggled Bibles into Communist Countries Passes at 94

'We Acknowledge God's Sovereignty': Tennessee Governor Proclaims Friday a Statewide 'Day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting'

Americans Are More Worried About Socialists Than MAGA Republicans, Poll Says

Canadian Province Refuses to Participate in PM Trudeau's Federal Gun Confiscation

Senator Tim Scott Introduces Bill to Defund Schools That Hide Students' Chosen Gender Identity from Their Parents

New York Times Admits That Hundreds of 'Top [Gender] Surgeries' Are Being Performed on Children

Floridians Flee 'Landfalling Cat 4 Monster' Hurricane Ian: 'Catastrophic Flooding, Life-Threatening Storm Surge'

'A Mother's Worst Nightmare' Takes Incredible Turn: Crowd Breaks into Tears, Cheers Moments after Heroes Rescue Kidnapped Girl

'SUPERSPREADER:' Worship Leader Sean Feucht's Documentary Hits Theaters Sept. 29

Doctor Turns against Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccines, Calls for Global Pause

Mastriano: Biden DOJ 'Trying to Intimidate' Conservatives Through Arrest of Catholic, Pro-Life Father

[Watch] Georgia Senate Republican Candidate, Herschel Walker, in Exclusive 1st Interview with Black Media