St. Patrick's Day

Who was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He lived in the fifth century, was born in Roman Britain and, according to his own account, was taken to Ireland as a slave in his youth. After escaping he returned as a missionary. Tradition holds that he died on March 17, which became his feast day. The shamrock, which he is said to have used to explain the Holy Trinity, has become the symbol of the day.

St. Patrick's Day in the United States

St. Patrick's Day is not a federal holiday, and offices and schools are open as usual. Even so, it is one of the most widely celebrated days of the year, thanks to the millions of Americans with Irish roots.

New York and Boston hold some of the oldest and largest parades in the country, and in Chicago the river is dyed green every year. People wear green, bars serve Irish food and drink, and many cities hold their parade on the weekend closest to March 17.

Corned beef and cabbage is a popular St. Patrick's Day meal in the United States, although it is more an Irish-American tradition than a dish commonly eaten in Ireland.