Monday, Mar. 17, millions of Americans throughout the nation dressed up in green and celebrated Irish culture on St. Patrick’s Day, a national holiday that is loved by many as cities across the U.S. These festive parades pay homage to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Let us go ahead and take a step back and learn a little bit about the Irish saint and how St. Patrick’s Day came to be the national phenomena that we now know today.
St. Patrick was a Roman-British missionary who is credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. During the early years of his life, Saint Patrick spent six years as a slave only to escape and return to his family. Following his escape Saint Patrick had a vision in a dream that he believed to be a message from God informing him that he must return to Ireland and spread Christianity.
Leading towards Saint Patrick’s life’s work, he went on to return to Ireland and help establish churches, monasteries, and schools in the name of spreading his Christian faith in Ireland. Following his life’s work, Saint Patrick died on Mar. 17, 461. However, his life and his legacy went on to be celebrated and recognized by the Irish for years to come.
What was once a solemn holiday that was primarily observed by people in Ireland quickly transformed into St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that took the United States by storm as Americans became more accepting of the large Irish-immigrant community that settled in the U.S. throughout the 19th century.
The holiday itself transformed into a widespread celebration of Irish-American Culture. In a modern context, these celebrations can be seen through the countless parades that take place throughout varying cities across the U.S., which includes a celebration of our own that takes place every St. Patrick’s Day weekend right here in Grand Forks. City organizers help plan a parade that passes through downtown Grand Forks starting at Widman’s Candy Shop and ending on 3rd Street by Kelly’s Bar. This celebration brings community members within Grand Forks together like no other as it is a lighthearted event that is inclusive to all, spreading the festive spirit of the holiday.
Whether or not you had a chance to take part in any St. Patrick’s Day celebrations of your own this year, hopefully you can now have a new appreciation for the coveted holiday and its Irish origins that pay homage to legacy and life that Saint Patrick left.
Daniel Silva is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daniel.silva@und.edu.
