The History of St. Patrick’s Day
BY EMILY MARTINEZ AND KAYLANY RAMOS— Staff Writers
Every year on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is known as “a day to dress in green.” What exactly is this day celebrated for?
Who is Saint Patrick?
This day is celebrated for the death of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick lived during the fifth century. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave. Although he escaped, he returned to Ireland again to bring Christianity to the people.
The First Day It Was Celebrated
The people in Ireland were observing the Roman Catholic feast around the ninth or tenth century. The feast was celebrated on March 17th, but it was first celebrated in America rather than Ireland. In March 17, 1772, homesick Irish soldiers marched to New York to honor the Irish patron saint as they served in the English army.
Why are Leprechauns involved?
Leprechauns originated from the original folklore Irish name “lobaircin” meaning “small-bodied fellow.” In the Celtic folktale, leprechauns were cranky beings that took the role of mending shoes. As a minor figure in the tale, they trick the people as a means to protect their treasure.
Activities
Although when you think of St. Patrick’s Day you may think of activities for kids, there are some games and party ideas for adults and teens to celebrate as well. Here are some ideas to try!
- Dress up like a leprechaun! Have a costume contest where whoever dressed as the best leprechaun wins to get all of the gold.
- Make your favorite desserts, only allowing the treats to be in the color green. This counts for beverages as well!
- Hold races and see who can win the most gold coins. It would be even better if the coins were real and competitors were playing for money!
- Musical chairs is a great game to play, especially when it involves competitive players.
- Make some traditional Irish eats to immerse yourself fully in the Irish culture!
Have fun and enjoy the day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
