I dont know anything about St. Patrick or why we are supposed to wear green on that day, butI wear green on St. Patricks Day.and so does almost everyone else. Its fun! Drink green beer and go around asking people to kiss me because Im Irishfor the night anyway. But, what is all of this really about? Like I said, heck if I know. So here goes. Heres some Did You Knows that Ive learned about St. Patrick, Ireland and this celebrated day. Did you know that St. Patricks Day, March 17th, was the day that he died? Did you know that the story of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland is not true and only believed because of years of exaggerated storytelling? Did you know that he was a devout Christian and had a quest to convert pagan Irishman to become Christians? Did you know that at the age of 16 he was taken as prisoner for six years by Irish raiders who attacked his parents estate? Did you know that St. Patrick was a priest? Did you know that the first St. Patricks Day Parade took place here in the United States, not Ireland, but in New York City on March 17, 1762? Did you know that in modern day Ireland, St. Patricks Day was traditionally a religious occasion and prior to 1970 Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17th? Did you know that the phrase Erin Go Bragh means Ireland Forever? Did you know that anyone who kisses the blarney stone which is located near the town of Cork will be blessed with the Irish gift of gab? Did you know that in 1995 the people of Ireland narrowly passed a referendum legalizing divorce? What the heck! Sounds like some good reasons to wear green, drink green beer and kiss everyone? What do you think? ERIN GO BRAGH |
