St. Patrick's Day Is Always On March 17 Every Year

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17, regardless of the day of the week. However, some holidays are always celebrated on certain days. For instance, Thanksgiving is always on Thursday. Easter, Mother's Day, and Father's Day are always celebrated on Sunday.

Many people celebrate St. Patrick's Day even though they are not Irish. Those who are not Irish might get together with their Irish friends to celebrate and enjoy the traditions.

Cities across the United States will celebrate by wearing green, attending parades, eating Irish foods, and drinking green beer.

The Color Green

Green is the most celebrated of the St. Patrick’s Day symbols. Whether you wear green on March 17 or not, you will see many others wearing green because that is the color associated with the holiday.

The color green was historically worn as a sign of Irish nationalism. Today, on St. Patrick’s Day, green is worn as a symbol of Irish pride and loyalty. The flag of Ireland also features the color green.

Green is used in St. Patrick’s Day-themed decorations, food, and drink. The Chicago River has been dyed green on St. Patrick's Day since 1962.

Shamrocks

The shamrock is one of St. Patrick’s Day's most recognizable symbols and the national plant of Ireland. Shamrocks are often confused with four-leaf clovers, but they are different plants. All shamrocks are members of the clover family, but not all clovers are shamrocks. Shamrocks have only three leaves, while clovers can have four or more leaves.

Leprechauns

Leprechauns are one of the symbols of St. Patrick’s Day. In Irish folklore, leprechauns were described as solitary, small, mischievous, cranky faeries with magical powers. They are depicted as wearing green coats, top hats, and shoes with buckles.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

In the United States, it is customary to eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, but it isn’t a tradition in Ireland. When Irish immigrants arrived in New York, they discovered that bacon was expensive. Therefore, they began buying corned beef from Kosher butchers and used it instead of pork.

Most restaurants will have that mean on the menu for their guests on St. Patrick's Day. The meal might even be disc0unted just for the day.

Green Beer

Like corned beef and cabbage, drinking green beer is not a traditional Irish custom. Green beer originated in New York in 1914 and didn’t become a tradition in Ireland until 1985. Pubs are crowded on March 17 every year with Irish and non-Irish people celebrating with green beer or other chosen drinks.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Some cities in the United States have St. Patrick's Day Parades. New York City's historic St. Patrick's Day Parade through Manhattan is the world's oldest and largest. According to St. Patrick's Day Foundation organizers, the parade usually lasts more than five hours from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The first parade was held in 1762. Approximately two million spectators and 150,000 participants attend the event every year. Some come from as far away as Scotland.

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day as you celebrate with family members and friends. Whatever you do, as always, remember to drink responsibly.