It Happened on
February 17, 1847
In February 1847, Pope Pius IX officially ratified the decision of the American Catholic hierarchy to name the Blessed Virgin Mary—under her title of the Immaculate Conception—as the Patroness of the United States. This solemn act symbolized America’s spiritual dedication to purity, hope, and divine protection at a critical moment of national identity formation. It marked the first time a modern nation formally placed itself under the direct spiritual patronage of Mary, aligning the young republic with heavenly sovereignty rather than earthly kingship.