Remember in elementary school when we used to make traps for the leprechauns so that we could catch them if they tried stealing our lucky charms? If you don’t, I feel sorry for you, those were some of my fondest and happiest memories in elementary school. 

Despite my childhood games, I still question: What is St. Patrick’s Day all about?

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 each year. It’s the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick. The holiday is celebrated in Ireland and all over the world by people of Irish heritage, and has become a celebration of the Irish culture. 

Coming from a family of priests, St. Patrick was born in Britain in 387 when it was occupied by the Roman Empire.

When he was 16, he was kidnapped by raiders in Ireland. They took him as a slave and forced him to tend sheep. Then, when he was around 20, he went back to Britain and decided he wanted to be a priest. After studying for many years, he went back to Ireland to tell people about his beliefs. 

Patrick worked in Ireland for 40 years, telling people about God. Most say that he converted all of Ireland to Christianity. The famous three-leaf clover is a shamrock that Patrick actually used to help people understand God.

Patrick died on March 17, 461, in the same place he built his first church. 

In Ireland, on March 17, it is a tradition to attend church in the morning, to wear green, and to eat a meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and soda bread.

In the United States, there are many people with Irish heritage who immigrated during the Irish potato famine. Because of this, Americans now have a huge celebration for Patrick with parades, food, and parties.