Do you know what St Patrick’s Day is and how it is celebrated?When we think about St Patrick’s day, green beer, green clothing, green ribbons, shamrock, and dancing in the pubs come to our minds. It is a very happening event that Chicago dyes the river for Saint Patrick’s day, in honor of Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints of Irish ancestry.Irish Americans of Irish ancestry enjoy this national holiday. It is a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland as well as Northern Ireland, under the Irish law in the UK for the Irish raiders. But what is the history of this day and why is the color green significant? And who exactly is the saint we celebrate on this day? Is it only celebrated in Ireland? In this article, we will answer all of these interesting questions and tell you some St Patrick’s day facts too. Keep reading the article if you’re curious to find out! Read along to find out about Sydney opera house, British rule, emerald isle, Irish immigration to America, and more interesting St Patrick’s day facts! After reading St Patrick’s Day facts, also check Ireland potato famine facts and Northern Ireland facts for kids.The History Of St. Patrick’s DaySt Patrick’s day is also known as St Paddy Day and Patty’s day in Ireland and is celebrated on March 17 every year. St Patrick’s day has been celebrated since the 10th century in Ireland as a national feast day even though as an official public holiday it dates back only to the 20th century.St. Patrick who is the most celebrated patron saint in Ireland is considered the main missionary who was responsible for bringing the Christian religion to Ireland. He has been known to use the Shamrock leaves to teach the Irish the about doctrine of the holy trinity. St. Patrick’s day has now spread all over the world. It is extremely popular in countries like the USA, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Australia. It is surprisingly even celebrated in South Korea and Japan. Leprechauns are considered mythical creatures. Although, according to the old Irish stories, this little troublemaker is in fact real and was first discovered in the ‘700s. The story of leprechauns has been passed down for generations.First St Patrick’s Day ParadeThe St Patrick’s Day Parade which is held in New York City is one of its greatly celebrated traditions. On March 17, 1762, the first parade took place in the streets of New York City.What fuelled this Parade was the homesickness of a couple of Irish ex-patriots, Irish immigrants, and Irish Military Members who were serving with the British army which was stationed in New York City.During this period to wear green clothes was considered to be a sign of Irish Pride but was unfortunately banned in Ireland. In the first parade, Irish people took pride in speaking Irish, wearing green attire, and playing Irish songs that were close to the people of Irish descent of that period.Today, the St Patrick’s day parade in New York City is seen from the steps of the St Patrick’s Cathedral by Cardinal Dolan who is the Archbishop of New York.The Color Green On St. Patrick’s DayThe tradition of wearing green on this religious holiday in Irish culture is very old and goes back to the Irish rebellion when soldiers of Ireland wore green while fighting the British who donned their signature red.Originally St Patrick’s color was blue, and in his honor, people wear a shamrock. Eventually green replaced the color blue and that green color became the standard for people celebrating this day. The song ‘The Wearing of the Green’ sung by Irish soldiers during the 1798 war played a major role in this change, and the color green has been the mainstream ever since. After the Chicago River was first colored green in 1962, wearing green became a part of pop culture.Shamrock is a four-leaf clover that is regarded as an important symbol of St. Patrick’s Day.Celebration And TraditionsSt Patrick’s Day celebrations are famous all over the world. This day is best known for drinking green beer in Ireland, but it has many other traditions. These include attending family dinners, church, parades, and attending Ceilidh which is a traditional Gaelic festival that features Gaelic folk music and dancing.In recent years, St. Patrick’s Day gifts have become increasingly popular. It mainly consists of specially themed gifts. Items like Irish beer, green candy, chocolate shamrock, and other Irish-themed gifts are fun to give and take.Looking for leprechauns, enjoying Irish step dancing, and pinching anyone who isn’t wearing green are some other Irish traditions. Nowadays at the end of St Patrick’s night, it is common to dunk in final glasses of whiskey as a toast to the saint who is known to have driven snakes out of Ireland.In South America, the most exuberant celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day are held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Numerous events and festivals are held across the city especially near the City Centre.St Patrick’s Day AddressPrime Minister Eamon de Valera of Ireland in his annual 1947 St. Patrick’s Day radio addressed the United States broadcast from Dublin and reminded the whole of the Irish people’s predicament and asked for their support in reuniting the country.Previously Mr. De Valera had also given an annual radio speech on St Patrick’s Day after he came to power at the 1932 election. During the period when the speech was made, World War II was at its peak and the fear of the German Invasion, also known as Operation Green, was very real. The speech which was given in 1943 was later criticized due to Valera’s archetypal traditional views of isolated farmland, where women play traditional roles.Usually, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 but there is an exception to this rule. When March 17 falls in the Holy Week, which is the week just before Easter, then the day for the celebration of this festival will be adjusted accordingly. This has happened twice, once in 1940 and then again in 2008.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for St Patrick’s Day in Ireland facts then why not take a look at Ireland education facts, or Ireland government facts.
Do you know what St Patrick’s Day is and how it is celebrated?
