St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th every year, but there are many fun facts about this holiday that you might not know. Here are 10 interesting facts about St. Patrick’s Day:
1. St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was actually born in Wales or Scotland, not Ireland. He was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave when he was a teenager.
2. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in New York City in 1762. Today, it is one of the largest and most famous St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world.
3. The original color associated with St. Patrick’s Day was blue
The original color associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green. Green became the dominant color for St. Patrick’s Day because of Ireland’s nickname, “The Emerald Isle.”
4. Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dish in America
In Ireland, the traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal is actually bacon and cabbage. But in America, corned beef and cabbage is the most popular dish served on this holiday.
5. The shamrock is a symbol of St. Patrick
St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. Today, the shamrock is a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.
6. Chicago dyes its river green for St. Patrick’s Day
Every year, the city of Chicago dyes the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The tradition started in 1962 and has been a popular tradition ever since.
7. St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, where it is a day of religious observance and celebration. There are parades, fireworks, and other festivities throughout the country.
8. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world
St. Patrick’s Day is not just celebrated in Ireland and the United States. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, and Japan.
9. The longest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world is in New York City
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City is the longest in the world, stretching over 1.5 miles and lasting for hours. It attracts millions of spectators every year.
10. The tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day comes from the belief that it makes you invisible to leprechauns
According to Irish folklore, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day makes you invisible to leprechauns, who would pinch anyone they could see. So, make sure to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day to avoid any pinches!