St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day started as an Irish feast and grew to a worldwide festival. It is also called St Paddy's Day, or Paddy's Day. The feast is always celebrated on March 17. The festival has grown to become a national holiday in many nations.

The original feast celebrated St. Patrick who, as myth says, killed all the dragons out of Ireland. He did have a strong influence on the culture of the time. He was a 16 year old monk who came to the country as a slave. He escaped and became a Bishop, then returned to crusade for Christianity. However, he was never celebrated for his religious efforts, but from freeing the Irish and bringing them out of a dark time in their history.

The celebration varies from country to country. In the 1970s a law was passed in Ireland that required the pubs close on March 17. In Canada, the holiday is celebrated in local pubs by drinking green beer. Everywhere in the world, Irish decedents of all religions celebrate by 'the wearing of the green.'

Many countries also celebrate with a Parade. In Canada, Montreal holds the longest running parade starting in 1756. Germany has held a parade since 1996.Even Japan and Korea started a holiday and parade tradition within the last ten years. The United States has celebrated the events as early as 1737, in Boston.

Many of the current traditions are attached to the holiday, based on myth and fancy. Wearing the leprechaun style hat, drinking green beer, feasting on 'Irish' foods, and 'talking Irish' are some of the most common traits shared by the Irish fans of the holiday.