History of the St.Patrick's Day Patrick was the son of Calpurnius, a Roman-British army officer. He was growing up as other kids in Britain. One day a band of pirates landed in south Wales and kidnapped this boy with many others. Then they sold him into slavery in Ireland. He was imprisoned there for 6 years. He dreamed of having seen God. Finally, he did escape and went to Britain and then to France. There he joined a monastery and studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. He spent around 12 years in training. And when he became a bishop he returned back to Ireland and tell his people about God.

History of the St.Patrick's Day It is believed St. Patrick was born in the late fourth century. His birth place is said to be in either Scotland or Roman England. His real name was probably Maewyn Succat, he was later came to be familiar as Patrick. The legend says he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. However, post-glacial Ireland never actually had snakes. And today, there are no snakes to be found! St. Patrick

History of the St.Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day is the national holiday of Ireland and it is usually celebrated on March 17. Irish immigrants began observing the holiday in Boston in 1737 and the first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in New York City in 1766.

Symbols of St.Patrick's Day The Leprechaun is a small Irish fairy. He is dressed like a shoemaker, with pointed shoes and hat. He also wears a leather apron. Lephrechauns are unfriendly little men who lives alone in the forest, spending all of their time making shoes and guarding their treasures. If you catch a Leprechaun you can bully him into telling you where his treasure is, but be sure not to let him out of your sight or even blink - or he'll disappear !

Shamrock The shamrock was chosen Ireland's national emblem because of the legend that St. Patrick had used it to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, when trying to convert polytheistic pagans to Christianity. The Irish have considered shamrocks as good-luck symbols since earliest times, and today people of many other nationalities also believe they bring good luck.

Harp The harp is an ancient musical instrument used in Ireland for centuries. It is also a symbol of Ireland. Although it is not as recognizable as the shamrock, the harp is a widely used symbol. It appears on Irish coins, the presidential flag, state seals, uniforms, and official documents.

Shillelagh Shillelagh was the name of an oak - forest in County Wicklow, a staff made from an Oak was often called a 'Shillelagh'. Little children carry plastic Shillelaghs on this occasion.

The Celtic Cross Saint Patrick added the sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that the new symbol of Christianity would be more natural to the Irish.

Rainbow Stories about the supposed treasure hidden by leprechauns at the end of the rainbow have made the rainbow a popular St. Patrick's Day symbol.

Irish Music Irish culture is marked by music. Next to the harp are other Irish instruments like the fiddle, the uilleann pipes, the bodhran and the tin whistle. Irish music, played on these instruments is primarily dance music (called ceili) that you'll hear a lot of on St Patrick's Day and has a fast tempo to dance jigs and reels to.

Green color Believe it or not, the color of St. Patrick was not actually green, but blue! In the 19th century, however, green became used as a symbol for Ireland. In Ireland, there is plentiful rain and mist, so is really green all year-round. The beautiful green landscape was probably the inspiration for the national color.It is said that it also brings good luck, especially when worn on St. Patrick's Day. Many long years ago, playful Irish children began the tradition of pinching people who forgot to wear green on St. Patrick's Day and the tradition is still practiced today.

Leprechaun Shamrock Gold Rainbow Shillelagh harp

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by most people, whether they are Irish or not, in big cities and small towns with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids.Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!

St. Patrick's Day has become a holiday all around the world and for one day out of the year anyone can be Irish and join in the celebration.