The Real History of St. Patrick’s Day

Well, take off that stupid hat, lets get educated.

Who was Saint Patrick?

Thats right, Patrick wasnt Irishand his name wasnt Patrick, either.

But well just call him Patrick since everybody else does.

While innortheastern Ireland, Patrick learned the Irish language and culture before attempting to escape back to Britain.

But Patrick wasnt very good at escaping apparently, because he was captured again.

This time by the French.

According to legend, Patrick used it to teach the Irish the concept of the Christian Holy Trinity.

These days, Patricius is known to most as Saint Patrick.

Thoughhes not technically a canonized saint by the Catholic Church, hes well-regarded throughout the Christian world.

But why the holiday?

Why always March 17?

Whats with the green?

And why do we think of a non-Irish, non-snake charmer as a symbol of Ireland?

As more Irish came across the Atlantic, the Feast Day celebration slowly grew in popularity.

So much so, in fact, the first ever St. Patricks Day paradewas held in Boston in 1737.

If youre wondering why people are wearing green, theres more to it than protection from pinching fingers.

Until then, the color associated with St. Patrick and Feast Day was actually blue.

From then on, people wore green on St. Patricks Day in solidarity.

Its now commonplace to bust out your best greens mid-March.

Okay, so why all the drinking then?

Its part historical subtext, part us succumbing to advertising, and part stereotyping.

But imbibing on whiskey and beer was not part of the equation.

This story was originally published in March 2017 and was updated to meet Lifehacker style guidelines.