| Whether you're Irish or simply love | | | | the man who single-handedly spread |
| Irish traditions and holidays, St. | | | | Christianity throughout Ireland during |
| Patrick's Day brings Irish cheer to many | | | | his day. Perhaps the most famous |
| people around the world. St. Patrick's | | | | legendary story about St. Patrick is |
| Day is a celebration of all things | | | | that he drove out snakes while in |
| Irish, commemorated on March 17 when | | | | Ireland. Though this story is probably |
| many families gather and serve cabbage, | | | | not true, many Irishmen claim that a |
| corned beef, and delightful mint | | | | snake cannot be found in Ireland! |
| chocolate pies. Some cities even | | | | Celebrations of St. Patrick's Day |
| celebrate by changing entire bodies of | | | | Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated |
| water to the color green to remember the | | | | around the world. In Ireland, it was |
| beloved St. Patrick. | | | | once a religious holiday, but is now |
| The holiday also sparks a tradition of | | | | used to draw millions of tourists each |
| shopping for and wearing Irish t-shirts | | | | year with parades, fireworks, and live |
| and apparel, usually the color green. | | | | entertainment. In America, there are |
| People celebrate by wearing cute Irish | | | | parades, Irish dances and jigs, Irish |
| accessories and fun clothing to create | | | | singing, wearing Leprechaun-themed |
| humor on the holiday. | | | | outfits, clovers with three leaves, and |
| Brief History of St. Patrick's Day | | | | more. The holiday is celebrated with a |
| The holiday remembers St. Patrick, one | | | | day of prayer by many Irish Catholic |
| of Ireland's patron saints. St. Patrick | | | | families. St. Patrick's Day is often |
| was born to a family of aristocrats in | | | | called by a nickname, St. Paddy's Day. |
| Whales and was set on course to become a | | | | There are even products and icons |
| priest. He was captured at 16 years of | | | | designed specifically for the holiday |
| age and taken to Ireland by Irish | | | | such as Paddy the loveable Leprechaun, |
| raiders. For six years, he was held | | | | which can be bought in various themes |
| captive, but was also able to grow | | | | like Cop Paddy, Firefighter Paddy, or |
| spiritually during this time. He | | | | Cowboy Paddy. |
| believed he heard the voice of God | | | | St. Patrick's Day Online Shopping |
| commanding him to leave Ireland, so he | | | | Those wanting to celebrate "St. Paddy's |
| escaped to Britain after walking | | | | Day" can find great items online for the |
| hundreds of miles. | | | | occasion. There are Leprechaun crafts |
| He became a priest and returned to | | | | and gifts. For work or school, lots of |
| Ireland, knowing that many citizens of | | | | people wear Irish T-shirts and apparel. |
| Ireland were pagans at the time. He | | | | For the true fan, there are even Paddy |
| created the famous Celtic Cross and used | | | | mugs, mouse pads, teddy bears, pillows, |
| some of the Irish customs he had learned | | | | buttons, and tote bags. One custom is to |
| to celebrate Easter. Many people believe | | | | wear green so you won't get pinched. |
| St. Patrick died on March 17 in 461 AD. | | | | These items have plenty of green for |
| His legend grew in Ireland and the UK as | | | | protection! |