March 17th is St. Patrick's Day

Every March 17th is known as St. Patrick’s Day.  The event is a Roman Catholic holy day.  Which means it is a day to celebrate the life of a saint.  But the day has turned into a day packed with parades, good luck charms, and all things green. Over time it’s become a celebration of Irish culture.

St. Patrick was a British priest who lived during the fourth century.  He was kidnapped by the Irish and taken to Ireland to become a slave.  While there he learned to speak Irish and decided to convert the Irish pagans to Christianity.  March 17th is the day St. Patrick died. and didn’t arrive in Ireland until he was 16 years old, when he was sent to work in the country.

Typically people wear green on St. Patrick's day because it is the color of Ireland.  But also, leprechauns can't see the color green. They like to pinch anyone they see. So if you do not want to get pinched be sure to wear green.  I just wear green to honor my Irish ancestry.  Did you know that the city of Chicago dyes the river green on St. Patrick's day?

Another tradition includes many Irish-American people in the United States eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day.  People also gather to watch parades of traditional Irish dancers and musicians as they march through city streets. However you celebrate, here’s hoping it’s a lucky day!