What Is St. Patrick's Day?

St Patrick's Day is a celebration held on March 17th, in honour of Saint Patrick (386-493), the patron saint of Ireland. It is a national holiday in Southern Ireland, but is celebrated around the world by Irishmen and non-Irishmen alike. A five-day festival in held in Dublin, Ireland during the same week, while a St. Patrick's Day parade is carried out in New York City, the largest type of celebration outside of Ireland itself, watched by over 2 million spectators. St Patrick's Day was first celebrated in the USA in Boston by Irish-American immigrants in 1737. Celebrations are traditionally defined by drinking large quantities of Irish alcoholic beverages, most notably Guinness, and Murphy's. It is also traditional to wear green on that day, or a large green hat. Additionally, it is a Christian festival celebrated by the Catholic Church, falling within Lent, and involving the breaking of the season's fast on that day.