St. Patrick's Day History by Mike Corthell

If we are Irish or think we are, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. This
day marks the date of St. Patrick's death in the year 493 AD. St. Patrick is the
priest credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated
by the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland as a solemnity and holy day of 
obligation.

This holiday is also officially celebrated by the Church of Ireland, the Irish branch
of the Anglican Communion. The day is marked with special observances and a
breaking of Lenten fasts.

Few accurate, historical details are known about St. Patrick's mission to Ireland,
although many popular legends are associated with his work and play a major role in Irish culture.

The shamrock's association with St. Patrick's Day comes from the popular myth
that says St. Patrick used the three leaves of the plant to explain Catholicism's
holy trinity to the Irish.

The holiday is also widely celebrated as a secular celebration of Irish culture. Cities around the world hold St. Patrick's Day parades and festivals to mark the occasion, with many people participating in the "wearing of the green." 

Popularized by Irish immigrant communities, festivities usually include traditional
Irish food and drink such as corned beef and often green beer...