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1. Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day or the Feast of Saint Patrick is a
religious celebration held on the 17 of March, the
traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the saint protector of
Ireland.
Saint Patrick was believed to be born in the fourth
century in Roman Britain to a wealthy family. At age 16, he
was kidnapped and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. There,
working as a shepherd, he "found God." Patrick found his way home and
eventually became a priest. He returned to Ireland to convert the people to
Christianity. He died March 17. He became Ireland's prominent saint.
Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern
Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also widely
celebrated around the world, especially in Great Britain, Canada, the USA,
Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.
On St Patrick's Day it is customary to wear shamrocks and/or green
clothing or accessories.
According to the legend, Saint Patrick used the three-
leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish people.
Usually on this day you can see parades in the streets,
organized theatrical performances and dances, there are
many people in pubs, and the Irish Folk Music is played
everywhere.
In 1903, St Patrick's Day became an official public holiday in Ireland. The
first St Patrick's Festival was held on the 17 of March, 1996. On 2009's five-day
festival there were 1 million visitors, who took part in activities that included
concerts, outdoor theatre performances, and fireworks.
In Great Britain, on St Patrick’s Day, Queen Elizabeth presents bowls of
shamrock flown over from Ireland to the members of the Irish Guards. You can
see them, wearing shamrock, on this day every year.