Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patricks the most commonly recognised of the patron saint of Ireland. Although it’s not a national holiday in the United States, many communities across the country celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with parades, festivals, and “wearing of the green.” In fact, St. Patrick’s Day parades are an American invention. The first parade honoring the day occurred in Boston in 1762. Over the years, parades and other celebrations on St. Patrick’s Day became a way for Irish immigrants to remember their roots.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is used by Ireland to draw the attention of the world. The meaning has changed to a sense of national pride. A weeklong celebration of St. Patrick is held each year in Dublin with a fireworks display called “Skyfest.” To celebrate, many of the Irish don a bundle of shamrocks pinned to their shirts or hats. Children wear green, orange and white badges, and many girls wear green hair ribbons. Basically everything GREEN to show their pride and roots.
