Saint Patrick’s Day is a unique American holiday known for its Irish roots, bright green colors, four-leaf- clovers, and an abundance of good luck. Although there is a lot of Irish and American history behind this holiday, not many make the choice to think about it. 

Who is Saint Patrick?

St. Patrick (original name: Succat) lived on the western coast of Great Britain. His father,  Calpurnius, was a christian deacon, and his grandfather was a priest. Christianity was built into him at a young age. In the fourth century, 16-year-old Roman Britain Saint Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland to be a slave. He escaped after about six years, and then returned to ireland around 432 C.E. He was a patron “saint,” of Ireland, and was the fifth-century missionary that brought and introduced Christianity to Ireland. He soon became a massive figure by the end of the seventh century.

He made monasteries, a place of peace, meditation and worship. He also made several churches and schools. This holiday takes place on the day of his death: March 17. Many legends arose from him. For instance: people said he drove snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock, known as the clover, to explain the Trinity: the christian belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in the same.

What is St. Patrick’s Day? 

 St. Patrick’s Day is the feast day of St. Patrick. This holiday was originally celebrated in Ireland, as an honor of St. Patrick after his death, but soon Irish immigrants brought St. Patrick’s Day traditions to the United States. The day then soon formed and evolved into a celebration of Irish culture. 

“I do have a lot of Irish heritage and I’m very proud of it, and it’s nice to embrace my culture,” Scarlett Maxy, a freshman at Tahoma, said proudly. 

Celebrations and traditions

Shamrocks have always been a symbol related to St. Patrick’s day because of the legends behind St. Patrick. The shamrocks (clovers) represent good luck! The clovers also give insight to why the color green is so popular in the month of March! Will Erickson, a freshman at Tahoma said gladly, “I love St. Patrick’s Day. I think it’s a fun holiday, and I do have a lot of Irish descent. A celebration my family and I have is to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, for good luck.”

In 1737, Boston held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade, then New York City in 1762. Ever Since 1962, Chicago has been coloring its river green to celebrate. 

It’s good to look back on America’s history and learn more about how traditions, celebrations, and holidays came to be. So, as they say in Ireland, “May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night!”