St. Patrick’s Day, known for its green colors, shamrocks, and Guinness, is celebrated annually on March 17th. However, the day actually honors the life and legacy of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. While rooted in Irish tradition, the holiday has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, marked by festivities, parades, and widespread revelry. But who exactly celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, who was St. Patrick, and is the day officially recognized as a holiday in the United States? Find out more below.
Who Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by people around the world, particularly those with Irish heritage. It is widely recognized in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. Many people, regardless of their Irish descent, take part in the festivities as a way to celebrate Irish culture, which includes parades, wearing green, and enjoying traditional Irish food and drinks. Notably, in Chicago, the Chicago River is dyed kelly green for St. Patrick’s Day—a tradition that began 63 years ago and precedes the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
This year, the Irish Prime Minister, or Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, visited the White House on March 12 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Who Was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick was a 5th-century Christian missionary and the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates at the age of sixteen and taken to Ireland as a slave. After escaping and returning home, he later went back to Ireland as a missionary to spread Christianity. St. Patrick is credited with converting the Irish to Christianity and is famously associated with driving snakes out of Ireland, though this is believed to be symbolic.
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St. Patrick is said to have died on March 17, as recognized by the church, but the exact year of his death remains unclear.
Is St. Patrick’s Day a Federal Holiday in the U.S.?
St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday in the United States.
While it is widely celebrated across the country with parades, parties, and cultural events, it does not qualify as an official holiday that results in a day off for employees, unless it falls on a weekend. However, it is a public holiday in some U.S. states and cities, especially in areas with large Irish-American communities.