Did you know the color originally associated with St. Patty’s Day was blue? Not green? Over the years the color green and its association with St. Patty’s Day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration for St. Patty’s Day as early as the 17th century.
Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.
Why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is March 17th is the day St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass.
In American cities with large Irish populations, St. Patrick's Day is a very big deal. Many cities celebrate with parades, wearing “green”, music and songs, and Irish food and drink. Some communities go as far as to dye their rivers and streets green!
Courtesy of Mike Boehmer from Chicago, IL, USA (Wikipedia)
