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Americans gearing to celebrate St. Patrick Day
by Jaspreet Virk - March 17, 2010 - comments
The first celebration in New York City is dated back to March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers in the British Army held Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
It is celebration time in the nation as the St. Patrick Day is here. Though the day is named after the patron saints of Ireland, Americans over the years have been celebrating the day wholeheartedly.
Like always, thousands--Irish and non-Irish alike--will wear green, enjoy the Irish parade and dances, and Irish meals, and possibly even drink a pint of beer to mark the Irish heritage.
As it has been doing for some 40 years now, Chicago will again be dyeing its river an "Irish" or emerald shade of green to celebrate the occasion.
St. Patrick's Day Block Party
Even ‘The Shamrock Club of Sacramento,’ an Irish social club in Sacramento, Calif, is all prepared for the big day.
Their Web site reads, “With great excitement we announce the return of Sacramento's biggest St. Patrick's Day celebration!”
The Shamrock Club of Sacramento is famously known for holding ‘St. Patrick's Day Block Party’ in the capital.
Last year, around 7,000 people showed up for the event. This year, the club is estimating 8,000 revelers as “all are encouraged to get involved.”
In fact, the clubs Facebook page had invited the localities to join them for the Irish Whiskey Training Day on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. to “taste all that Ireland has to offer.”
Remembering the legend of St. Patrick
The day is widely celebrated, but there are many who wonder who St. Patrick is?
The saint is one of the most recognized figures in Christianity. The Irish folklore has it that St. Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland, perhaps a metaphor for promoting Christian faith as he converted royalty and aristocracy into Christianity.
One of his teachings included using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.
Though much is not known about his early life, it is believed that he was born in Britain in the fifth century.
It is also said that he was kidnapped by the Irish raiders and held captive as a slave, when he was sixteen years old. According to his confession, God told him in his dream to flee captivity and return to Britain. On returning, he joined the Church in Auxerre and studied to become priest.
Later he was called back to Ireland, where he promoted Christianity.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day over the years
Since March 17 is the death anniversary of the patron saint, it is celebrated as the St. Patrick's Day.
This day is also widely celebrated because of the fact that March 17 falls during the Christian season of Lent, when people prepare for Easter. The season begins 40 days prior to Easter
In United States, the celebration was brought by the Irish-American immigrants. The first public celebration was held by the Irish Society of Boston in 1737.
The first celebration in New York City is dated back to March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers in the British Army held Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
In today’s time, the celebration basically includes wearing green clothing, and eating Irish food.
Many cities, including Seattle, paint the traffic stripe of their parade routes green.
Like Chicago dyeing its river green, Indianapolis dyes its canal green and Savannah dyes its downtown city fountain green.
This day is also widely celebrated because of the fact that March 17 falls during the Christian season of Lent, when people prepare for Easter. The season begins 40 days prior to Easter.
Also, the nation has nine times more people of Irish descent than Ireland itself.