What is St. Patricks Day all about?

Answer 1

wearing green and drinking Irish beer

Answer 2

The History of St. Patrick's Day


Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a celebration for all things Irish.



The world's first St. Patrick's Day parade occurred on March 17, 1762, in New York City, featuring Irish soldiers serving in the English military. President Truman attended the parade in 1948, a proud moment for many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and prejudice to find acceptance in America. Congress proclaimed March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1995, and the president issues a proclaimation each year.



The First Parade
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.

On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.


Wearing of the Green Goes Global
Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.

In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland 's St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.

Answer 3

st patrick's day celebrates Saint Patrick the patron saint of Ireland. It's basically the irish national holiday

Answer 4

being a full blown irish woman st patty's day is about celebrating with st patrick means to ireland its a special moment for the irish and its almost like small celebration of life...

Answer 5

Saint Patrick is the one who spread Catholism throughout Ireland.
We celebrate here because of the large number of Irish who came to the United States during the Potato famine.

Answer 6

Here are some good websites about the history of St Patricks day, and customs and traditions that go along with it.

http://www.history.com/minisites/stpatricksday/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Patrick's_Day

http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/patrick.htm

http://www.st-patricks-day.com/index.asp

Answer 7

ridding Ireland of rodents which St. Patrick was scared to death of so they don't think it really happened

Answer 8

I am Irish and it is about our heritage and the tribulations that came with bring christianity to the Island

Answer 9

Don't know exactly, but I'll tell you what: if I DON'T wear green that day and someone pinches me, TRUST me, they're GOING to get knocked the F#%( out!!! WHY do I say that? Look at the pigmentation of my Avatar! Matter (of) fact, go to my 360 page and look at the picture of me in real life!!! Now tell me, do I even LOOK like I'm Irish?!

Answer 10

To me giving hugs, and kisses.Then you wear green so you don't get pinched.....thanks for 2.