NEW YORK — If it’s March, and it’s green, it must be St. Patrick’s Day.
The day that celebrates the patron saint of Ireland is a worldwide recognition of Irish heritage. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the United States, where parades happen in cities across the country and all sorts of foods and drinks are given a green hue.
Actually, it was within Irish American communities that the day developed into the celebration it is today, from its origins as a more serious day with a religious ceremony in Ireland.
But even in America, it was about more than an opportunity to color a river green (looking at you, Chicago) or simply wear a favorite green item of clothing, it was about establishing roots and asserting a place on the country’s schedule.
Who is St. Patrick and why does he have a day?
Patrick was not actually Irish, according to specialists. Born in the late fourth century, he was seized as a young person and ended up enslaved in Ireland. He got away to another part of Europe where he was educated as a priest and came back to Ireland in the fifth century to advance the spread of Christianity.
Centuries later, he was established as a saint by the Catholic Church and like other saints had a day dedicated to him, which was March 17th. He became Ireland’s patron saint, and even during religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, was embraced by both, says Mike Cronin, historian and academic director of Boston College Dublin.
How did an Irish Saint’s day become an American thing?
The brief response: Irish people came to America and brought their culture with them. St. Patrick’s Day observances date back to before the establishment of the U.S., in places like Boston and New York City. The first parade took place in Manhattan in 1762.
While the day was recognized with more of a religious context and solemnity in Ireland until well into the 20th century, in America it evolved into the cultural and lively celebration it is today, attended by many people without a trace of Irish heritage.
It was because people in Ireland began to see how the day was celebrated in the U.S. that it became more of a festival in the country of its origin rather than strictly a religious observance, Cronin says, referring to the parades, parties and other events that take place.
Oh, and by the way, for those who like to abbreviate names: Use St. Paddy’s Day, not St. Patty’s Day. Paddy is a nickname for Pádraig, which is the Irish spelling of Patrick.
Why is it such a big deal to celebrate a holiday like this?
Holidays aren’t simply days to watch bands go by, or wear a specific outfit or costume.
Being able to observe a holiday, and have others observe it, is a way of “establishing roots, showing that you’ve made it in American culture,” says Leigh Schmidt, professor in the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. “You’ve made your claim on that American calendar, in American civic life, by having these holidays widely recognized.”
The spread of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the U.S. was a way for Irish immigrant communities, who in the 19th century faced discrimination and opposition, to stake that ground, he says: “It’s a kind of immigrant Irish way of combating nativist antagonism against them.”
Why are four-leaf clovers special?
During the holiday, it's common to see the shamrock, a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick, which typically has three leaves.
Finding a four-leaf clover is considered lucky because it's rare due to specific genetic traits, according to Vincent Pennetti, a doctoral student at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who has been interested in these plants since high school.
According to Pennetti, four-leaf clovers are real and uncommon.
Despite their rarity, with keen observation and the ability to recognize patterns and irregularities, people can find four-leaf clovers, says Pennetti.
Katie Glerum, a 35-year-old New York City resident, sometimes comes across four-leaf clovers, particularly in places like Central Park. She often gives them to others, who react positively.
Glerum finds it thrilling when she discovers a four-leaf clover, despite it not being a daily occurrence.
