why is st. patrick's day on the calendar as a holiday? what about germans, norweigans, etc???do they get a day

Answer 1

Lots of parts of the country (USA) and even Canada have Oktoberfests every year in the fall. Regions where there are a lot of a certain group of people whose ancestors originated in other parts of the world have special days too. In Idaho there is a big Basque population, lots of Basque pride activities going on.
It's interesting though that St. Patrick's day made it so deeply into US culture and custom that Hallmark makes a card for it! Probably because it is associated with a saint, much like Saint Valentine's day.

Answer 2

I think it's because St. Patricks day is kind of anti-British, and after the brutality of colonialism (and piracy and other acts after colonialism), many Americans still harbored anti-British sentiment for a long time. And this included a fraternal connection with the Irish and Irish causes for many Americans from since our independence (and maybe even earlier).

Unlike Britain, Germany or Mexico, Ireland has never been seen as a threat on American territory. Irish are more populous than many other non-threatening nationalities in the US.

Also, there are traditions which aren't offensive to any normal person, like wear green, march in a parade and the leprechaun. Although it is associated with a Saint, it has become secular and it is celebrated as an occasion to do secular things (like Christmas, Easter and Valentines day).

So, it's not very political in the USA (as it might be in Britain).

Oktoberfest eat "too much" bratwurst (pork), drink beer (many American religions are teetotal, which is why prohibition lasted as long as it did), and Germans fought against the US for two world wars. Sure, if you're German by ethnicity no one minds, but it's not like some Jewish kid from new jersey or some Quaker with a purple heart is jumping in line to celebrate it.

Maddi gras and some other holidays are more like tourist attractions. They belong in a certain part of the US and aren't really pan American.

Norwegian holidays? Well, tell us what they are first.

Answer 3

Every culture has it's reason to celebrate. St. Patrick's Day isn't a legal holiday. We have Oktoberfest-I think that's German. When I send a card from American Greetings, I see a lot of different days mentioned. You need to calm down. It will be all right.

Answer 4

I think the original prevalence of Irish immigrant descendants in law enforcement originally got it to be popular. Now it's just a fun tradition. Now as far as other holidays, we celebrate Octoberfest, Mardi Gras, Independence day for Mexico (don't know spelling on that one) and many other ethnic holiday traditions.

Answer 5

Well, I live in Massachusetts and state workers have off that day because it is Evacuation Day (we sent the English home during the Revolutionary War). Being that there are many Irish people living in Boston, it is a great co-incidence.

Answer 6

if they want to