St.Patrick’sDay UpcomingHolidaysCont.

By: Annie Le (7th grade)

It’s March, and that means St.Patrick’s Day is coming up! This holiday is a cultural and religious celebration that lands on the 17th of March. The origin of the holiday started with Ireland's Patron St.Patrick!

The story behind St.Patrick was that he was born in Roman Britain but was enslaved in Ireland when he was 16, he escaped slavery but later on returned to the country to bring Christianity to it. He chased out slithering reptiles and also used a shamrock to represent the Holy trinity. He died March 17th, 461 CE, by the time he died he had many churches and schools in Ireland with many legends of him. His day lands around the time of Lent, so many Christians go to church in the morning then celebrate in the afternoon, even though Lent prohibits eating meat during Friday, it is often ignored during this day since Irish people eat a traditional meal that has cabbage with bacon as they dance and drink.

St.Patricks Day only became popular worldwide when emigrants settled in the United States, it became well-known around the world. The first parade was in America because there were Irish soldiers who were indentured soldiers in the British Army who brought the tradition to the country, the earliest Irish tradition brought to America dates back to 1762 when the first St.Patrick's Day parade was held in New York City. Since then more and more Irish immigrants entered America, and the parade slowly turned into a big celebration to represent Irish Pride.

St.Patrick's Day is usually associated with the color green, but back then when St.Patrick’s Day was just being introduced to America, wearing green was punishable, but by 1798 there was a rebellion against the British rule in Ireland, green became more significant than ever to Irish people.

Although St.Patricks Day used to be a more religious celebration, it’s now a big holiday that celebrates Ireland's traditions as a whole!

March 2023