Saint Patrick’s Day is a traditional holiday in many cultures and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in America. But many people do not know why we celebrate this holiday and many things that go along with the holiday.

Common questions asked about Saint Patrick’s Day and interesting facts too:

1. How did St. Patrick’s Day start?

• St. Patrick’s Day began in Ireland as a religious feast day.

2. Who is St. Patrick?

• St. Patrick lived during the fifth century. He was actually born in Britain and brought over to Ireland as a slave. He escaped, but remained in Ireland and is credited for bringing Christianity to his people. Today, he is the patron Saint, and National apothem of Ireland. His death leads to our next question.

3. When is Saint Patrick’s Day and why?

• We celebrate this holiday tradition on March 17 every year because according to myth, this is the day St. Patrick died.

4.  Why a three leaf clover?

• St. Patrick was also credited with explaining to his people the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, which led to the three leaves on the clover.

5. Why do we wear green?

• Although we do not know for sure why we celebrate this day by wearing green, it is believed that St. Patrick unknowingly started the tradition. It is said that he pinned a green clover to his robe in order to represent the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, which led to the wearing of green on this holiday every year. Over time began the belief that if you were not wearing green, then you would be pinched by the leprechauns. It was believed that wearing green made you invisible to them. And so, today we still pinch those who do not wear any green on March 17.

Did you know…?:

• St. Patrick’s Day parades actually began in America. The first one was in New York city.
• The Chicago River has been dyed green every year on March 17 since 1962, and it takes about 40 tons of dye to make it a suitable green shade.
• For the majority of the 20th century, the holiday was strictly religious, which meant pubs were closed on this day and there was no drinking. However, when it became a national holiday, drinking became associated with the festivities.
• It is said that the spreading of Christianity around Ireland drove all the snakes out of Ireland, however, scientists now believe that the saying was simply metaphorical because the country is too cold for any snake to live.
• Corned beef and cabbage is an Irish dish often eaten on Saint Patrick’s day. But did you know that it actually has nothing to do with corn? Corned beef refers to beef with large grains of salt which were once called “corns”.
• Early Irish folk tales did not have female leprechauns.

Whip out your fun facts about St. Patrick’s Day at the dinner table. And don’t forget to get your green on this Thursday, March 17!