AMARILLO, TEXAS -- It's more than just leprechauns, rainbows and gold- here's all you need to know about everyone's favorite Irish holiday!
-St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 for the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, who is believed to have died on March 17 in the year 461 A.D. The Irish culture is celebrated worldwide on this day, as is the country's history. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Irish flag is green, white and orange, with green representing people of the South, orange representing people of the North and white symbolizing the two peoples coming together as a nation.
-The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was in Boston in 1737.
-According to the 2003 US Census, 34 million Americans have Irish ancestry.
-In Seattle, there is a ceremony where a green stripe is painted down the roads.
-In Chicago, the rivers are dyed green. Mayor Daley is also of Irish descent.
-The actual color of St. Patrick is blue; green came into the picture during the 19th century. In Irish legends, green was worn by fairies, immortals, and by people to encourage their crops to grow.
-St. Patrick was not Irish. Historians believe he was born around the southwest portion of Britain. St. Patrick was actually kidnapped and brought to Ireland, where he was forced to work for many years.
-In Ireland, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps on St. Patrick's Day. Children wear green, orange and white badges, and women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair.
-Drinking a pint of Guinness beer on St. Patrick's Day is an Irish tradition. *Modern research shows Guiness may help to lower the chance for blood clots and heart attack risk when consumed in moderation.*
-Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps. Children wear orange, white and green badges, and women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair.
So, there you have it! Enjoy the rest of your St. Patrick's Day- wear something green, drink a green beer and perhaps the luck of the Irish will come to you!
