VIDEO: Time Lapse Of The Chicago River Going Green For The 52nd Time In History

America may not have "invented St Patrick's Day" like they claim to but they have created some strange and wonderful traditions that make the day all the more special.  We're definitely not talking about the corned beef and cabbage but the greening of the river is one our favourite sights. The Chicago River has been dyed every St Patrick's Day by the city's plumbers union as a privately funded operation for the past 52 years. Volunteers hopped on to motorboats with containers of a "secret formula" and painted the river a bright shade of emerald green. The river usually remains a bright shade of green between six and 12 hours. See the Chicago River going green in this great time lapse video below: We think it's pretty cool.