Every year on March 17, millions of people wear green clothes, decorate the streets with shamrocks, and drink beer to celebrate the national holiday. Saint Patrick's Day. This holiday, which honors Ireland's patron saint, has become a global celebration of Irish culture and an excuse to enjoy the company of friends and family.
Saint Patrick He was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, in 387 and died in Downpatrick, Ireland, on March 17, 493, according to the online Catholic Encyclopedia.
The National Geographic website explains that when he was 16 years old, while living with his parents, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland. There he spent six years as a priest, during which he strongly returned to his faith. One day he dreamed that the ship in which he was going to escape was ready, so he escaped from his master and traveled to Great Britain, where he met his family.
From there he traveled everywhere, baptizing and confirming people until he became a missionary to pagan Ireland, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
What is the origin of Saint Patrick's Day?
Britannica explains that it was immigrants, especially those who left for the United States, who changed the shape of the world Saint Patrick's Day Its a secular festival that celebrates all things Irish.
“Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, who often exercised political power, organized the most extensive celebrations, including elaborate parades. “Boston held its first parade in 1737, and New York followed in 1762,” the Encyclopedia notes.
Over time, the tradition spread to other countries, especially the United States, where Irish communities carried their customs with them and the holiday became deeply rooted in popular culture.
One of the most distinctive features Saint Patrick's Day It is the green color associated with the Emerald Isle and symbolizes spring, hope, and, according to legend, the spirit of Saint Patrick. Many participants dress in green from head to toe and decorate their homes, bars and streets with decorations that reference the holiday.
In cities like New York, Chicago, and Dublin, St. Patrick's Day celebrations are especially large, with huge parades, concerts, food fairs, and cultural events attracting visitors from all over the world.
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