St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to the country. It originated as both a religious holiday recognized by Christian churches and a celebration of Irish culture. Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide with parades and symbols of Irish heritage like leprechauns, shamrocks, and the color green, though the mischievous leprechauns of legend were actually an American invention and in Irish folklore were said to be cranky creatures.

1. St. Patrick’s Day Ali Bass P. 8

2. The History… St. Patrick’s day is the celebration and feast of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. It is celebrated March 17 th , the day St. Patrick died. St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

3. The Religious Aspect… Besides being a holiday celebrating Irish culture, it is also a religious holiday. It is recognized by the church of Ireland, and also by the Catholic Church. It is customary to break lent on St. Patrick’s day.

4. Celebrations St. Patrick’s day is celebrated all over the world, not just Ireland. Is very popular in North America, Europe, and Australia. Many cities have parades. Things associated with celebrations are leprechauns, clovers, rosettes, luck, and the color green, of course.

5. The Truth about Leprechauns… Leprechauns, part of Irish folklore, are not really the fun-loving creatures we all know. Are known by the Irish to be cranky and mean. The happy leprechauns were purely an American invention.