St. Patrick’s Day is commemorated yearly on March 17, as the saint died on this date in the fifth century. The Irish have celebrated this day as a sacred festival for above 1,000 years. At this event, Irish people traditionally visit the church during the day and celebrate in the evening and exchange valuable gifts with loved ones.

Who Was St. Patrick?

Saint Patrick, who existed in the fifth centenary, is the patron benefactor of Ireland and its social messenger. He was born in Roman Britain, and got abducted and transported to Ireland as a slave when he was only 16 years old. Later, he escaped, but shifted to Ireland, and was believed to bring Christianity to its people. In the centuries after Patrick’s death (since March 17, 461), the belief encompassing his biography became ever more inherent in Irish history: Possibly the most popular motto of St. Patrick is that he described the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) with the usage of the three leaves of a native Irish plant, the shamrock.

How St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Started?

Fanatics in Ireland are following the Roman Catholic celebration day of St. Patrick on March 17 since the ninth century. The initial St. Patrick’s Day ceremony was held in America rather than Ireland. Studies reveal that a St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred on March 17, 1601, in Spanish territory in which is now known as St. Augustine, Florida. More than a century later, Irish soldiers working in the English army marched on March 17, 1772, in New York City, to acknowledge the Irish leader saint. Passion for the St. Patrick's Day ceremonies in New York City, Boston, and additional advanced American towns developed as time went by.

Evolution of St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

Over the following 35 years, Irish nationalism amongst American emigrants increased, provoking the emergence of “Irish Aid” communities such as the Hibernian Society and the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. These societies would arrange yearly parades highlighting drums and other musical instruments. In 1848, numerous New York Irish Aid communities determined to consolidate their parades to create one tremendous New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Now, that parade is the world‘s greatest civilian parade and the most populous in the United States, with above 150,000 members. Every year, approximately 3 million enthusiasts follow the 1.5-mile parade to attend parade. Other famous cities such as Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Savannah also commemorate the anniversary with parades including 10,000 and 20,000 participators.

St. Patrick's Day Festivities Around the Globe

Inmates throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia celebrate St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick’s Day is observed around the world in spots even far from Ireland, which includes, Singapore, Japan, and Russia. Some of the most popular food on St. Patrick’s Day are Irish soda bread, corned beef, and cabbage. People usually wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated as a religious event. In the 1970s, Irish laws ordered to keep the bars closed on March 17. However, starting in 1995, the Irish government launched a nationwide plan to increase the interest in St. Patrick’s Day to encourage tourism and display Ireland and Irish history globally. Today people all over the world celebrate this day by attending parades, exchanging St. Patrick's Day gifts, and sharing meals in huge gatherings.