In 1941, governor made the day green
A state archivist recently discovered some green ink in an unlikely place: the bottom of a bill signed into law by a governor from long ago. But maybe this particular color should come as no surprise.
The document, signed by Governor Leverett Saltonstall in 1941 in green and black ink, makes March 17 a legal holiday in Suffolk County. Officially, it marks the date in 1776 when British troops ended their occupation of Boston.
But it also happens to fall on a more widely recognized holiday: Saint Patrick’s Day.
The discovery was prompted by a curious State House reporter, Secretary of State William F. Galvin said yesterday. The reporter, from WBUR, had heard the document was signed in green ink, and the journalist wanted to find out if it was true.
“The only way we could figure that out was to pull out the original parchment document, which is stored in our archives at Columbia Point,’’ Galvin said.
The document was retrieved, and the archivist quickly discovered the green and black ink.
The document also declares June 17, known as Bunker Hill Day, a legal holiday in Suffolk County.
The March 17, countywide holiday, which was named Evacuation Day in 1938 in a separate proclamation, has sparked controversy in recent years.
Governor Deval Patrick reiterated his opposition to the holiday yesterday.
Republicans have called both holidays an irresponsible excess at a time when the state is trying to save money.
Advocates say that to do away with the days as holidays would chip away at the distinctiveness of New England culture and heritage.
Government offices, schools, and libraries across Suffolk County close for the two holidays.
The document makes no reference to the names of either holiday. It also does not mention Saint Patrick’s Day.
So why did Saltonstall use green ink?
When he signed the bill, the former governor was in his Chestnut Hill home, recovering from an operation.
State Senator Joseph L. Murphy sent him the bottle of emerald ink. “I am sending herewith a bottle of green ink in anticipation of your signing the bill making March 17 a holiday,’’ Murphy wrote to the governor, according to a Globe article from March 12, 1941.
“I believe it is quite appropriate to use the favorite color of our mutual ancestry.’’
