Smoke Signals

He impacted Ireland heavily by spreading Christianity across the country, even though he was not of Irish heritage. He was originally born in Roman Britain, but he was taken as an Irish slave at the age of 16. He eventually escaped slavery, however he came back to Ireland as a  missionary hoping to convert the Irish from pagan to Christian. St. Patrick died on March 17th, and his death day became the focus of a religious feast day. 

Today

Today the holiday has become a secular day, celebrated all over the world. Americans throw parades (the first to do so), wear green, drink, try to catch leprechauns, and eat chocolate coins. The shamrock has been said to be popularized as a Irish symbol by St. Patrick. Today on St. Patrick’s day one can see school classrooms decorated, and people wearing them on March 17th every year. It has become another fun and small holiday in America that is celebrated through fun activities in Irish culture. 

Ways to Celebrate

Today you can celebrate by wearing green or dressing up like an irishman/leprechaun. While most Americans use today as a bar crawl, some traditional things include having a feast of corned beef and cabbage. You can curl up with a book about Irish culture and folklore. 

To celebrate with friends, you can throw a fun party with a green sherbet punch and eat lucky charm cookies. Decorate your house with shamrocks and create a trap to catch leprechauns. Make sure to wear green so they don’t pinch you. A movie to watch by yourself, with your friends, or your family, is called Luck of the Irish. You can stream it on Disney Plus!

Any way you celebrate, make sure to have fun!