On March 17, cities around the world turn green. St. Patrick's Day celebrates Irish culture and heritage with parades, music, dancing, shamrocks and plenty of green clothing. In the United States, where more than 30 million people report Irish ancestry, it is one of the most popular cultural celebrations of the year. But behind the parties is the story of a real man who became Ireland's patron saint.
History of St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century. As a teenager, he was captured by raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. After several years, he escaped, became a priest and later returned to Ireland as a missionary. By tradition, he died on March 17 around the year 461. Legends say he used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Christian Trinity and drove the snakes from Ireland, though Ireland likely never had snakes after the last ice age.
March 17 became a feast day in the 1600s. In America, Irish immigrants and soldiers held some of the first St. Patrick's Day parades: Boston in 1737 and New York City in 1762. After the Irish famine of the 1840s, millions of Irish immigrants arrived in the U.S., and parades became a show of pride and community.
Modern traditions include Chicago dyeing its river green, a custom since 1962, and wearing green, linked to Ireland's nickname, the Emerald Isle. In Ireland, the day is a national holiday with a large festival in Dublin.
Why St. Patrick's Day Matters
St. Patrick's Day celebrates the contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants to American life, from politics to music and literature.
It is also a welcoming festival where everyone can enjoy Irish culture, whether or not they have Irish roots.
How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
- Wear green: or add a shamrock pin.
- Watch a parade: many cities hold parades on or near March 17.
- Cook an Irish meal: try soda bread, Irish stew or colcannon.
- Listen to Irish music: enjoy traditional fiddle and pipe tunes or try an Irish dance.
- Learn your roots: research family history or Irish history.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a green dress day, an Irish-themed potluck with soda bread and stew, or a short Irish music playlist adds fun to the week. Keep celebrations inclusive and alcohol optional. In classrooms, students can learn about St. Patrick's life, the Irish famine and immigration, design leprechaun traps, or learn a simple Irish dance step. Math lessons can use shamrock patterns. At home, families can bake Irish soda bread, read Irish folk tales together, watch a parade, or hunt for a 'lucky' four-leaf clover in the yard. If you go out to celebrate, plan a safe ride home.
Fun Facts About St. Patrick's Day
- Boston held one of the first St. Patrick's Day parades in America in 1737.
- Chicago has dyed its river green every year since 1962.
- Corned beef and cabbage is largely an Irish-American tradition.
St. Patrick's Day FAQs
When is St. Patrick's Day?
St. Patrick's Day is March 17.
Who was St. Patrick?
A 5th-century missionary born in Roman Britain who became the patron saint of Ireland.
Why do people wear green?
Green is linked to Ireland, the Emerald Isle, and to the shamrock.
Is corned beef and cabbage Irish?
It is mainly an Irish-American dish; in Ireland, bacon and cabbage was more traditional.