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