St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Born in late 4th century Roman Britain, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave but escaped. He returned to Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established religious buildings and schools. St. Patrick used the shamrock explain the Trinity, in Christian doctrine, it is the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ireland came to celebrate the day with religious services and feasts.
The color green associated with Ireland has connections to late 18th century spreading of republican ideas to Ireland, influenced by the revolutions in American and France (the French revolution). One of the major groups promoting this were the Society of United Irishmen, who wore green, especially their version of the liberty caps worn during the French Revolution.
St. Patrick Parade, Fifth Avenue, New York City, New York, USA, Bain News Service, March 1909. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
NYPD officers parade during the Saint Patrick’s day parade in New York, United States on march 17, 2023. Credit: Wendy P. Romero/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group 
Shamrock balloon at the 1991 Los Angeles St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Credit: Visions of America/Universal Images Group 
Reportage: A bowl of shamrock sits on the coffee table in the Oval Office of the White House Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
Law enforcement and military members parade during the Saint Patrick’s day parade in New York, United States on march 17, 2023. Credit: Wendy P. Romero/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group 
Law enforcement and military members parade during the Saint Patrick’s day parade in New York, United States on march 17, 2023. Credit: Wendy P. Romero/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group 
St. Patrick’s Day at the White House (2023) – The North Portico is lit in green for St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17, 2023, at the White House. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
People wearing green clothes during the Saint Patrick’s day parade in New York, United States on march 17, 2023. Credit: Wendy P. Romero/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group 
A cardboard cutout of a shamrock at the 1987 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, New York City. Credit: Visions of America/Universal Images Group 
President Barack Obama greets the crowd at the Dubliner, an Irish pub in Washington, D.C., on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2012. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
St. Patrick’s Day at the White House (2023) – The South Lawn fountain is dyed green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17, 2023, on the South Lawn of the White House. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
President Barack Obama visits the Dubliner, an Irish pub in Washington, D.C., with his Irish cousin, Henry Healy, center, and Ollie Hayes, a pub owner in Moneygall, Ireland, right, on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2012. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
St. Patrick’s Day at the White House (2023) – Decorations are hung in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17, 2023, in the East Colonnade of the White House. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
Ireland, Dublin, St Patrick’s Day, marching band musicians on parade showing spats and green socks, close-up. Credit: DK Images/Universal Images Group 
Ireland, Dublin, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, sign reading ‘Happy St Patrick’s Day’ on shop window. Credit: DK Images Universal Images Group
In the USA, green as the color of clothing goes back to the 19th century, when Irish immigrants to America seeking a new and better life, began wearing green and carrying Irish flags along with American flags.
It was Irish immigrants – most notably those in the USA, who transformed St. Patrick’s Day into a celebration of Ireland and Irish culture. Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, who often wielded political power, staged the most extensive celebrations, which included elaborate parades.
May good luck be with you wherever you go, and may your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow…
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