The day of green

Devon Huff, Staff Writer

St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish holiday on March 17. The day was originally to commemorate Saint Patrick for the conversion of his entire country and thousands of others to believe in the religion Christianity. The day is on March 17 because it was the day Saint Patrick passed away. Today, some people still celebrate for that reason, but now the day is to have fun and wear green.

Many people get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day because they are not wearing green. This has been an American tradition since the 1700s. It started under the myth of leprechauns who are mischievous and will pinch you. You are invisible to them if you are wearing green. The game was originally to remind people to wear green or get pinched. Shamrocks are a tradition on St. Patrick’s Day. They are featured on clothes, food and other cosmetics. Originally, Saint Patrick used three leaves of a clover to explain the Holy Trinity. There actually is a legitimate reason why some people drink adult beverages on St. Patrick’s Day. Pota Phadraig, or Patrick’s Pot, is celebrated to remember Saint Patrick’s persuasion of a stingy innkeeper to fill his customers glasses to overflowing.

There are new traditions that were added to St. Patrick’s Day so more people can have fun, even though they do not really celebrate anything. People have feasts that can even rival Thanksgiving. Parades have also been added to the traditions, where people march down streets wearing green and playing music. They also throw candy for kids. Sometimes, even green beads and cabbages are thrown. In big cities, such as Chicago and Indianapolis, rivers are dyed green for the whole month of March.