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Philip Bates of Capitol City Highlanders performs while walking out of Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden on Rainey Street during St. Patrick’s Day in Austin on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.<\/p>\n
Bronte Wittpenn \/ American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Are you ready for a cold pint of Guinness <\/a>and a plate of\u00a0bangers and mash while wearing a giant green hat?<\/p>\n While St. Patrick\u2019s Day is not recognized as a federal holiday <\/a>in the U.S., it gives both Irish and non-Irish Americans a reason to celebrate\u00a0\u2014 but it is a national holiday in Ireland. Today, the holiday kicks off the country\u2019s tourist season, though 40 years ago the day was marked by religious observances that even closed down bars.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n American celebrations of St. Patrick\u2019s Day have turned the occasion into the festive bar crawls often seen today. Still, the rich history behind the day of laughter and libations remains behind the surge of shamrocks and drunken shanties.<\/p>\n When is St. Patrick\u2019s Day 2026?<\/p>\n St. Patrick\u2019s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated each year on March 17. In 2026, it falls on a Tuesday.<\/p>\n Also read: From St. Patty\u2019s Day to NYE\u00a0\u2014 2026 holidays, observances, seasonal dates to track in Texas<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Who was Saint Patrick? The history of St. Patrick\u2019s Day<\/p>\n Circa 440 AD, Saint Patrick\u00a0\u2014 who was born in\u00a0387 AD\u00a0possibly in\u00a0Kilpatrick, Scotland and died on\u00a0March 17, 461 in\u00a0Downpatrick, Ireland\u00a0\u2014 converted much of\u00a0Ireland from paganism and Druidism to\u00a0Christianity.<\/p>\n Archive Photos\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Despite what many people think, Saint Patrick was not Irish. He was born in Britain<\/a> near the end of the fourth century and was captured by Irish raiders when he was 16.\u00a0He spent six years in captivity in Ireland, according to the History Channel<\/a>, where he eventually became a devout Christian.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to Patrick\u2019s writings, he believed God spoke to him in a dream and told him to leave Ireland, and he escaped. Later, he wrote that an angel appeared to him in another dream telling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He eventually became a priest after about 15 years of study.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n While many people believe St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, the History Channel reports that his mission focused on ministering to existing Irish Christians as well as converting non-Christians.<\/p>\n Why do we celebrate St. Patrick\u2019s Day?<\/p>\n Ireland and its neighbors across the pond have commemorated Saint Patrick since the ninth or 10th century, according to the History Channel.<\/p>\n St. Patrick was never canonized by the Catholic Church but has enjoyed longstanding historical popularity.\u00a0Saint\u00a0Patrick died<\/a>\u00a0on March 17, 461, which later\u00a0became the day we celebrate him and the Irish.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n America\u2019s first St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebration was in 1600 in the Spanish colony of present-day St. Augustine, Florida.\u00a0Spanish colonial records<\/a>\u00a0mentioned a celebration for Saint Patrick in 1600 and the first known St. Patrick\u2019s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601.<\/p>\n The tale of Saint Patrick likely traveled from Ireland to the Americas in the 16th century by way of Richard Arthur, a priest in St. Augustine and an Irish soldier,\u00a0The Washington Post reports<\/a>. Records of St. Patrick celebrations died with Arthur, but additional records show\u00a0Irish soldiers in the English military<\/a> marched in celebration of Saint Patrick in Boston in 1737 and New York City in 1762.<\/p>\n A general view of the 264th St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York, on March 17, 2025, with the parade organizing committee. This is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world, according to organizers, the St. Patrick’s Day Foundation. The first parade takes place in 1762.<\/p>\n Deccio Serrano\/NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n Decades of growing Irish patriotism resulted in Irish Aid societies and annual parades of bagpipes and drums. They united to form\u00a0one official New York City St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/a> in 1848, according to the History Channel.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n While rowdy celebrations occurred in the U.S., Irish laws mandated pubs be closed on St. Patrick\u2019s Day until the 1970s. In 1995, the Irish government began campaigning for bigger March 17 celebrations to\u00a0drive tourism<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Patrick\u2019s legacy continues in the U.S., particularly in areas with large groups of Irish immigrants. St. Patrick\u2019s Cathedral in New York City is one of the most recognizable churches in the country and was \u201ccreated to affirm the\u00a0ascendance of religious freedom<\/a>\u00a0and tolerance,\u201d according to the Cathedral\u2019s site.<\/p>\n Why do we wear green on St. Patrick\u2019s Day?<\/p>\n The tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick\u2019s Day has little to do with St. Patrick, who the History Channel reports<\/a> \u201cwas originally depicted in blue clothing.\u201d\u00a0Instead, the color green represents Ireland as a whole. Often called the \u201cEmerald Isle,\u201d the national flower is\u00a0\u2014 you guessed it\u00a0\u2014 the shamrock.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Why do people pinch on St. Patrick\u2019s Day?<\/p>\n Bound for Donnybrooke Fair. 1892. Depiction of a leprechaun-like Irish man carrying a shillelagh.<\/p>\n swim ink 2 llc\/Corbis via Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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