St. Patrick's Day originated from the story of Patrick, an Irish boy who was captured and taken as a slave to Ireland. While there, he found faith in God and had a vision telling him to escape on a ship and return to spread Christianity. Patrick traveled Ireland as a missionary, converting people to Christianity and using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The shamrock then became a national symbol of Ireland, and Patrick's work led to the establishment of St. Patrick's Day as a celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

1. St. Patrick’s Day By: John Soria

2. History of St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated on March 17 or the previous Saturday Celebrated by the Irish Started by a boy named Patrick.

3. How It Got Started Patrick’s land was invaded. He was captured by the conquerors. He was taken to Ireland as a slave and herded sheep. He prayed that he would return home one day.

4. How It Got Started (cont.) While praying, a voice told him to go to a ship. He did and sailed to Europe. He led a crew through a dangerous forest always praying. None of the crew was hurt or killed. Patrick felt he was called by God to perform a mission.

5. How It Got Started (cont.) His belief that his duty to convert people to the Christian religion let him travel. He arrived in Ireland as a missionary and traveled from village to village talking about his faith. Members of a tribe found it difficult to understand what he meant about the Holy Trinity.

6. How It Got Started (cont.) He picked up a shamrock and explained that each leaf was the father, holy spirit, and the son. The tribesmen understood. Since then, the shamrock has been the national symbol of Ireland.