– By #Powder House Lodge
As we enter March, the excitement for St. Patrick's Day builds up. It's a day filled with parades,
green clothes, and fun activities. But do you know where this holiday comes from? Join us as we
explore the history of St. Patrick's Day, from its beginnings with a special saint to the global
celebration it is today. Let's uncover the story behind this beloved holiday and what it means to
people worldwide.
The Story of St. Patrick
The March 17th celebration began in 1631 when the Church made a special day to honor St. Patrick. He was the Patron Saint of Ireland who passed away around the fifth century, which was a long time before people started celebrating the holiday as we know it today. But not much is known about who he really was. What we know is that St. Patrick was a Roman citizen because, at that time, Britain was under Roman rule. St. Patrick was taken to Ireland as a slave, where he later either escaped or was released. The details of this story remain uncertain. Afterward, he became a priest and returned to Ireland, where he succeeded in converting many people from the Druid culture to Christianity.
Legends suggest that he was originally named Maewyn Succat but changed his name to Patricius (or Patrick) after becoming a priest. It is believed that his supposed success is the origin of all the themed merchandise associated with Modern St. Patrick’s Day.
The Evolution of St. Patrick’s Day
It wasn’t until the early 18th century that many of today's traditions really started taking off. St. Patrick's Day falls during Lent, providing Christians a break from the strict fasting rules leading up to Easter. Around the 1720s, that's when things got a bit wild with the celebrations. To remind people of what the holiday was truly about, the church linked a botanical symbol, something common for all saints, to St. Patrick, choosing the lucky shamrock as his emblem.
Throughout the rest of the 1700s, celebrations and themes for St. Patrick's Day continued to develop. In 1762, the first parade in New York City took place. It wasn’t until 1798, during the Irish Rebellion, that the color green became officially linked with the day. Before the rebellion, blue was the color associated with St. Patrick, seen in the royal court and on ancient Irish flags. However, during the rebellion, the Irish chose to wear green in contrast to the British, who wore red. They even sang the song “The Wearing of the Green,” solidifying the color's significance in Irish history.
As for green beer, that's a newer thing. Actually, it wasn't until the late 20th century that Ireland changed a law which kept everything, including pubs, closed for the day. Since then, because of a big push from Budweiser in the 1980s, drinking beer has become a popular way to celebrate, even though it's not really connected to what St. Patrick's Day is all about.
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