In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day is usually associated with leprechauns, lucky charms, gold, and green foods and drinks. However, these items are not associated with the saint that this holiday truly revolves around. 

St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday celebrated annually on March 17. This holiday is most near and dear to the Irish, and they have observed this holiday for over a thousand years. St. Patrick’s Day usually falls during the week of Lent, which is observed mostly by Catholics but also by Christians. Most Irish families will begin the day by attending church, followed by a celebration in the evening (history.com). This holiday began in 1631 when the Church established a Feast Day honoring St. Patrick. Saint Patrick was a Patron Saint of Ireland who died around the fifth century. It is crazy to think that the modern-day holiday did not begin as a tradition until about twelve centuries later (time.com).

Patrick’s birth name was Maewyn, and he was born in Roman Britain but was kidnapped and brought to Ireland for slavery. This is why this holiday is now celebrated in Ireland. While in slavery, he escaped to a monastery in France, where he later converted to Christianity. Even though Christianity was already prominent in the country, some say that Patrick confronted the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites, which later resulted in Christianity becoming more widespread. This is why many Christians will observe St. Patrick’s Day: Patrick was a Christian. But, even though Patrick was a Christian, many people, including McKenzie Reiter (11), tell us, “I had no clue that someone who is celebrated by so many people would be a Christian, and as a Christian, I had no clue that some Christians might celebrate this day. That is why I love reading and hearing about the true history behind things like this.” Patrick later became a bishop, which is why, after his death, he was observed as a patron saint (gdp.org).

When the Irish emigrated to the United States, they created larger celebrations that led to the parades and other big celebrations for the Irish that are known today. The celebrations go back to the 18th century, when Irish soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War celebrated St. Patrick by starting the first-ever parade for the holiday. These celebrations allowed the Irish to connect with their true Irish roots, even after migrating to America. 

Now, here are some fun facts associated with the holiday that you might not have known: 

1. St. Patrick’s Day is often associated with the shamrock, which we all know represents luck. St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the holy trinity since he was a bishop and very religious. Kennedy Conrad (11) tells us, “This is such an interesting fact because I always saw shamrocks associated with this holiday but never knew why.”
2. Corn beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish meal often eaten on St. Patrick’s Day. This is a tradition because long ago, Irish Americans were often too poor to afford certain meals, but on a day like St. Patrick’s Day, they knew they had to celebrate. The cheapest meal they could afford on this day happened to be beef and cabbage, which later became a staple for the Irish. 
3. New York is known to be filled with many people and large celebrations, and it just so happens that the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade is the largest in the U.S. and the world’s oldest civilian parade. Now, it does not just end there. 5.5 million people visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral each year! Isn’t that crazy?