St. Patrick’s day is a holiday celebrated worldwide and annually on March 17th by wearing green and pinching those who do not wear green. Wearing green comes from the myth that states green clothes will make you invisible to leprechauns. And if you aren’t invisible, the leprechauns will see you and pinch you.

St. Patrick’s day is based on Saint Patrick, the national apostle of Ireland. He brought Christianity to his people in the fifth century. He was originally from Roman Britain but was kidnapped at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland to work as a slave. He eventually escaped, but later returned to Ireland and spread the gospel of Christianity. St. Patrick is known for explaining the Holy Trinity using the Shamrock, three leaved clover.

The very first St. Patrick’s day parade was held in New York City on March 17, 1762. This helped the Irish in the English military who walked in the parade feel connected to their roots. Today, the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the biggest and oldest civilian parade in the United States with around three million people celebrating.

In Ireland, Irish families traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon by dancing, drinking, and feasting on the traditional meal of Irish corned beef, bacon, and cabbage. To the Irish, St. Patrick’s day is more of a religious holiday compared to the U.S where we see it has a fun day to dress up in green and pinch people.