St Patrick’s Day Real Facts

St. Patrick’s Day has a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century. The holiday is named after Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the country. March 17th, the day of Saint Patrick’s death, was chosen to honor him and celebrate Irish culture and heritage.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations began in Ireland in the early 17th century, with religious ceremonies and feasts. In the mid-19th century, the holiday began to take on a more secular tone, with parades, music, and dancing becoming a part of the festivities. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762, and the tradition has since spread to cities around the world.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many countries with large Irish communities, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The holiday is often associated with wearing green, parades, Irish food and drink, and general merrymaking.

While St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have become more commercialized over the years, the holiday remains an important cultural and religious celebration for the Irish and those who celebrate Irish culture. It serves as a time for people to come together, celebrate their heritage, and enjoy the traditions and festivities associated with the holiday.

Here are some hidden facts about St. Patrick’s Day

1. St. Patrick wasn’t Irish: Despite being the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders when he was a teenager and brought to Ireland, where he spent several years as a slave before escaping.
2. The original color associated with St. Patrick’s Day was blue: St. Patrick was originally associated with the color blue, which was also the color of the Order of St. Patrick. Green became associated with the holiday in the 19th century, likely due to Ireland’s green landscape and the popularity of shamrocks, which are associated with St. Patrick.
3. St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in only a few places: While St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world, it’s only a public holiday in a few places, including Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
4. Corned beef and cabbage isn’t a traditional Irish dish: While corned beef and cabbage has become a popular St. Patrick’s Day dish in the United States, it’s not a traditional Irish dish. Bacon and cabbage is a more traditional Irish dish, but Irish immigrants in the United States substituted corned beef for bacon due to its availability and lower cost.
5. St. Patrick’s Day was once a dry holiday: Until the 1970s, St. Patrick’s Day was considered a religious holiday in Ireland and pubs were closed on March 17th. It wasn’t until 1970 that the holiday became a national holiday in Ireland and the pubs were allowed to open.