40 years after Miracle on Ice, St. Paul celebrates ‘Greatest Day’

The city of St. Paul celebrated the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Men’s Olympic Hockey Team’s Miracle on Ice on Saturday, Feb. 22 at CHS Field.

Miracle on Ice, widely regarded as the most memorable sports moment of the 20th century, inspired the U.S. as the country remained divided in political turmoil due to the effects of the Cold War. The Miracle taught Americans that nothing is impossible and hard work pays off.

The Herb Brooks Foundation was among the organizations participating in the event. The foundation marched in the Greatest Day Parade that started at Rice Park and ended at CHS Field.

The events continued at CHS Field with an on-ice ceremony. Youth hockey associations marched in a parade of nations, representing each of the countries that participated in the 1980 Olympics. After that, Melvin Carter, the Mayor of St. Paul, named February 22 the Greatest Day.

Following Mayor Carter’s speech, hockey Legends like Dave Hanson and Henry Boucha were introduced on the ice prior to participating in an autograph session.

The on-ice events wrapped up with a final youth hockey game representing USA vs USSR.