5 Fun Facts About St. Patrick’s Day You Didn’t Know
St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious festival that is celebrated on the 17th of March every year. This day commemorates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is believed to have brought Christianity to Ireland. Here are five fun facts about St. Patrick’s Day that you probably didn’t know:
The Color Was Not Always Green
One of the most popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is by wearing green. However, the color green was not always associated with this festival. Initially, blue was considered the color for St. Patrick’s Day. It was only later that green became popular because of its association with the shamrock, which is a symbol of Ireland.
Parades Are Not an Irish Tradition
St. Patrick’s Day parades have become a popular way to celebrate this festival in many parts of the world. However, this tradition did not originate in Ireland. The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762, which was organized by Irish soldiers who were serving in the British Army.
The First St. Patrick’s Day Was a Religious Feast
The first St. Patrick’s Day was not celebrated as a secular festival. Instead, it was a religious feast observed by Irish Christians. It was only later that this festival became a secular celebration that was enjoyed by people of all faiths and nationalities.
The Irish Drink More Tea Than Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day
When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, you probably picture people drinking Guinness. However, the Irish consume more tea than beer on this day. In fact, it is estimated that around 5.5 million cups of tea are consumed on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
St. Patrick Was Not Irish
Although St. Patrick is regarded as the patron saint of Ireland, he was not actually Irish. He was born in Britain and was initially taken as a slave to Ireland when he was sixteen years old. It was during his captivity that he found God and later returned to Ireland as a missionary to spread Christianity.
In conclusion, St. Patrick’s Day is a festival that is celebrated around the world with great enthusiasm. By knowing these fun facts, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge about this special day. So, put on your green clothes, raise a cup of tea or Guinness, and celebrate the Irish spirit this St. Patrick’s Day.
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