Green is associated with Saint Patrick's Day because it is the color of spring, Ireland, and the shamrock. Leprechauns are also associated with this holiday. As with many other holidays, St. Patrick's Day has it origins, in ancient times.

Celebrations

In Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day is primarily a religious holiday, celebrated with a week-long tradition of festivities. Stores and businesses are closed on this day to give people time to spend with family and friends. Catholics begin their day honoring Saint Patrick by attending special religious services. Most families get together for celebratory meals and attending community gatherings. The day is often spent attending popular sporting events - Gaelic games, championship rugby matches or a steeplechase. Dublin and Belfast also hold large parades to celebrate national pride. March 17th is also the day for "wearin ‘o' the green" because that's the day on the Catholic Church ecclesiastical calendar designated to honor St. Patrick. Many also wear shamrocks because it is claimed, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the idea of the Trinity to the Irish.

In Canada and the United States, Saint Patrick's Day is primarily a nonreligious holiday. Green is one of the national colors of Ireland and also one of the signs of spring. Many people wear green shirts, ties, hair ribbons and hats. They also hold parties and march in parades. There are now millions of non-Irish who has chosen to become Irish for the day and celebrate. Often besides wearing something green they eat corned beef and cabbage, or drink green beer. Irish descendants in the United States and Canada put on a noisier and bigger St. Patrick's Day celebration than the people in Ireland. Canadians and Americans celebrate this day with such fun and wild abandon that it is said many people in Ireland tune in their television to watch celebrations and parades which take place here.

The first Saint Patrick's Day celebration in America was hosted by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston in 1737. The second was was held by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick in Philadelphia during 1780. The fameous Fifth Avenue Parade in New York, was first held in 1762. The parade is the largest one held in the United States. It was staged by Irish veterans of the Revolutionary War as a protest against the people who didn't like the Irish. More than one-half the soldiers who fought in the Revolutioary War had Irish ancestors. They wanted to show how many Irish there were in America. Every year on March 17 or the preceding Saturday, cities with a large population of Irish Americans have parades. There are over 100 cities in the United Stats who hold Saint Patrick Day paraes. Green stripesd are painted on the streets where the parade will travel. In Chicago, the river is dyed green every year. Many American bars even serve green beer on that day.

What is considered good luck on Saint Patrick's Day

1. Finding a four-leaf clover (supposedly it brings double your luck if you find one on this day.

2. Wearing the color green.

3. Kissing the Blarney stone.

Toasts for Saint Patrick's Day

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

May the leprechauns be near you,
To spread luck along your way.
And may all the Irish angels,
Smile upon you St. Patrick's Day.

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