St. Patrick’s Day is a religious and cultural holiday celebrated every year on March 17; the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. The holiday began in Ireland but through both communication and immigration, St. Patrick’s Day has now become a worldwide holiday that contributes to all things Irish. The holiday evolved into large festivals celebrating all aspects of Irish culture with special foods, drinks, music, dancing and parades with a whole lot of green.
Although the holiday is honored around the world, many are unaware of why we celebrate; it is all because of Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain; however, when he was 16, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave. He later escaped, but returned back to Ireland because an angel in his dream insisted. Upon his return he elaborated on different angles of Christianity. In fact, he is credited with bringing the country’s religion to its people. Saint Patrick is most well-known for explaining the Holy Trinity. He explained this by using each leaf of a shamrock to represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
As far as traditions go, the day includes a vast variety of activities. In the morning, houses filled with families open their eyes to leprechaun tracks and tricks. With the leprechaun’s clever and magical mind, green footprints lead the children to undiscovered treasure. Dinner plates are submerged with certain cuisine including fried cabbage, corned beef, Irish stew and colcannon. Parades are held in New York City, Boston, Denver and around the globe to remember Saint Patrick. If that is not interesting enough, the Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day, pedestrians line up on the Chicago Riverwalk to witness the emerald green Chicago River. This tradition dates back to 1962 when the Plumbers Local Union suggested dyeing the river with 100 pounds of green dye; however, instead of the dye lasting for a few hours, it remained green for nearly a month. But, out of all colors, why green?
On Saint Patrick’s Day, everything is green; there is green beer, green milkshakes, green clothing and occasionally green hair. According to folklore, it is generally believed the color green makes people invisible to the leprechaun’s eye. If individuals were not decked out in green, they risked getting pinched by the leprechaun. Others say sporting the color green brings good luck and fortune, but many wear it to honor their ancestry. Will the majority be wearing green or getting pinched this year?
