St. Patrick's Day: History, Traditions & Why We Wear Green
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17, and in 2027 it falls on a Wednesday. It began as a religious feast day marking the death of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, around 461 CE, and over the centuries it has grown into one of the most joyful days on the American calendar. Here in the United States it is a day of parades, green outfits, shamrocks, and a little bit of Irish luck for everyone, whether your family came from County Cork or you are just along for the fun.
Saint Patrick was not actually Irish by birth. He was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, and at the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as an enslaved person. He eventually escaped, but later returned around 432 CE as a missionary to spread Christianity across the island. By the time he died on March 17, he had founded monasteries, churches, and schools, and the date of his death became his feast day. You can read the fuller story of his life on Wikipedia.
Two of the most famous stories about him are more legend than history. One says he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, though the truth is that snakes never lived on the island in the first place, since the surrounding ocean kept them away. The other says he used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish, which is how the little green clover became the symbol of the day. Note that the lucky four-leaf clover is a separate good-luck charm, not the same plant Patrick used.
Why do we wear green on St. Patrick's Day?
It may surprise you that the original color of the holiday was blue, not green. Blue was the shade long associated with Saint Patrick himself. Green only took over in the 18th century, when the shamrock became a national emblem and Ireland earned its nickname, the Emerald Isle. Wearing green was even a bold political statement at one time. During the Irish Rebellion of 1798 it became the color of Irish nationalism, immortalized in the old ballad "The Wearing of the Green."
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Today the rule on the schoolyard and at the office is simple and playful: wear green or get pinched. Folklore says green makes you invisible to mischievous leprechauns, who supposedly pinch anyone they can see. Speaking of leprechauns, these mythical fairies were actually first described as wearing red, and only switched to their now-familiar green outfits over time. If you love a good themed outfit, the same spirit that fuels our festive Christmas sweaters works beautifully for a green St. Patrick's Day look, too.
How Americans celebrate
St. Patrick's Day in America owes its energy to Irish immigrants. Irish soldiers in the British Army held one of the earliest celebrations, and parades soon followed in cities with growing Irish populations. Boston hosted a parade as early as 1737, and New York City followed in 1762. As Irish immigration swelled through the 19th and 20th centuries, March 17 became a proud celebration of Irish heritage. The History.com guide to the history of St. Patrick's Day traces how those early gatherings grew into today's massive events.
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Modern American traditions are wonderfully over the top. Chicago has dyed its river bright green every year since 1962. Cities host parades with Irish dancers and pipe bands, pubs serve green beer, and families sit down to corned beef and cabbage, a dish that is actually an Irish-American invention rather than something eaten in Ireland. An older custom called "drowning the shamrock" involves dropping a shamrock into the last drink of the day before raising a toast. And a quick heads-up for planners: St. Patrick's Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States, so banks, schools, and offices stay open as usual.
Dressing the family in green
Half the fun of March 17 is the head-to-toe green. Kids love it for the pinch-proof bragging rights, and adults love any excuse to go a little festive. If you enjoy coordinating a whole household for a holiday, you already know the joy of matching looks. The same idea that makes our kids' holiday knits and women's festive sweaters such a hit at Christmas translates perfectly to a fun, cozy green outfit for the parade.
Irish greetings to know
Want to sound the part? A few simple phrases go a long way on St. Patrick's Day. "Sláinte" (pronounced SLAWN-cha) is the Irish toast meaning "to your health," perfect for raising a glass. "Erin go Bragh" means "Ireland forever," and of course a warm "Happy St. Patrick's Day" never goes out of style. However you mark the day, whether with a parade, a hearty meal, or just a green shirt and a smile, you are part of a tradition that has brought people together for centuries.
Did you know?
St. Patrick's Day falls on March 17 every year, and in 2027 it lands on a Wednesday.
Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain and was taken to Ireland as an enslaved teenager at age 16.
Blue, not green, was the color originally linked to Saint Patrick.
Chicago has dyed its river bright green every St. Patrick's Day since 1962.
Boston held a St. Patrick's Day parade as early as 1737, and New York City followed in 1762.
Frequently asked questions about St. Patrick's Day: History, Traditions & Why We Wear Green
St. Patrick's Day honors Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, on March 17, the date of his death around 461 CE. It began as a religious feast day and grew, especially through Irish immigrants in the United States, into a global celebration of Irish heritage and culture.
Blue was originally the color tied to Saint Patrick. Green took over in the 18th century when the shamrock became a national symbol of Ireland, the Emerald Isle. Green also became a sign of Irish nationalism, and today folklore says wearing green keeps you safe from being pinched by leprechauns.
It is a popular legend, but Ireland never had snakes in the first place because the surrounding ocean kept them from reaching the island. The story is symbolic and is one of several myths that grew around Saint Patrick over the centuries.
No. St. Patrick's Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States, so banks, schools, and most offices stay open on March 17. It is widely celebrated with parades and gatherings, but it is not a day off work.
Popular choices include corned beef and cabbage, which is actually an Irish-American dish rather than a traditional Irish one, along with green beer and other green-themed treats. An old custom called drowning the shamrock involves a final toast at the end of the day.
