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St. Patrick’s Day: History and “Lucky” Irish Stats
Who was St. Patrick? He was born between 373 and 390 A.D. under the name Magonus Sucatus in Banwen, Wales. After being kidnapped at age 16 and sold as a slave in Ireland, he escaped 6 years later… learned to speak Irish… and eventually became a bishop when his name was changed to Patricius, or Patrick.
He’s best known for “driving the snakes from Ireland.” One tale says that one stubborn serpent refused to leave. In response, Patrick made a box and invited the slithering beast to enter, but the snake insisted the box was too small. Eventually, the snake entered the box to prove he was right, and St. Patrick slammed the lid and cast the box into the sea.
As in many old pagan religions, serpents and their symbols were common, and possibly even worshipped. “Driving the snakes from Ireland” was likely symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice.
- The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the United States when Irish soldiers of the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Irish music filled the air and the parade helped soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots and fellow Irish service members.
- 4 U.S. cities are named after the floral symbol of Ireland: Shamrock, Texas… Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia… Shamrock Lakes, Indiana, and Shamrock, Oklahoma. There’s even a Shamrock, Saskatchewan, Canada.
- How about Ireland’s capital, Dublin? Well, there’s Dublin, California… Dublin, Ohio… and 7 others! And don’t forget Emerald Isle, North Carolina where 1-in-6 residents are of Irish descent… plus West Dublin, Canada… and Dublin, Ontario. Begorrah! There’s enough Irish luck for everybody!
- Dying the Chicago River bright Irish green has been a Chicago city St. Patrick’s Day tradition for the past 40 years!
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