Everyone knows there are consequences for not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a day when leprechauns run around and the shamrock is hot-pressed onto every article of clothing. But where does all this come from? Where does this holiday originate? 

It’s believed that on Mar. 17, year 461, Saint Patrick, the man credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, died. Ever since the ninth or tenth century, people have taken this day to honor him.

Everything started when St. Patrick was kidnapped from his home in the Roman Empire (Britain) and brought to Ireland as a slave. He was sixteen and held captive for six years. He eventually escaped and decided to return to Ireland to teach Christianity to the land as a missionary. 

He became popularly recognized throughout Ireland as a patron saint and is well known for explaining the Holy Trinity by using the three leaves of a shamrock. The shamrock then became a well-known worn symbol because it signified Irish Christian pride. This then evolved into wearing green on the holiday as well. 

While St. Patrick’s Day was originally a day to feast with families after attending church in the morning; this holiday is celebrated differently today in the modern United States. 

The first-ever parade of St. Patrick’s Day was believed to have been in what is known today as St. Augustine, Flo., by a Spanish colony in 1601. The celebration only grew from there. This holiday now revolves around dying rivers green, marching in big parades, and happily drinking beer. Not only is this holiday heavily celebrated in the United States, but in multiple other countries such as Russia, Australia, the UK, and of course, the holy grail of it all—Ireland. 

Linfield senior Kieran Gabriel explained that this day is very important to him.

“I am fifty-percent Irish so this is a big holiday for me because I get to celebrate Irish culture and enjoy a day that celebrates my religion and ethnicity,” he said. “Back home, my family and I were really close with the owner of an Irish pub and grill and they would have this massive block party downtown.”

Sierra Lees, a junior, also enjoys celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. 

“St. Patrick’s day is a fun holiday that celebrates Irish culture and heritage. For the holiday, I wear green and spend time with friends,” she said. “Over the summer I was fortunate enough to spend a month in Northern Ireland. During my time there, I was able to learn a lot about the culture and spoke with the locals. This year I am excited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day since I have a deeper connection to Irish culture.”

May everyone who celebrates this holiday have good luck and wear green!