(The following information is from Wikipedia)
It’s a yearly holiday celebrated on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (circa AD 387–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland. It began as a purely Christian holiday and became an official feast day in the early 1600s. However, it has gradually become more of a secular celebration of Ireland's culture. It is believed that Saint Patrick's Day has been celebrated in Ireland since before the 1600s. It was also believed to have served as a one-day break during Lent, the forty-day period of fasting. This would involve drinking alcohol; something that became a tradition.
Who was Saint Patrick?:
He was born in Roman Britain in the fifth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon in the Church, like his father before him. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest. In 432, he again says that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop, to save the Irish, and indeed he was successful at this, focusing on converting royalty and aristocracy as well as the poor.
Why the Shamrock?:
Irish folklore tells that one of Saint Patrick’s teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish people.
Why the Color Green?:
Originally the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue. However, over the years the color green and its association with Saint Patrick's Day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century. In the 1798 rebellion in hopes of making a political statement Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March in hopes of catching attention with their unusual fashion gimmick. The phrase "the wearing of the green", meaning to wear a shamrock on one's clothing, derives from the song of the same name.
What we are eating tonight in celebration:
Irish Bacon and Cabbage soup
▪ Recipe:
4 servings
▪ 1/2 pound Irish bacon, diced
▪ 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
▪ 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
▪ 1 cup chicken stock, or as needed
▪ Salt and black pepper to taste
▪ 2 cups thinly sliced dark green Savoy cabbage leaves
▪ Place bacon in a large, deep stockpot or saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain off any excess fat.
▪ Stir in potatoes, tomatoes, and enough chicken stock to cover. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
▪ Stir in cabbage and allow the soup to simmer for a few minutes longer before serving.
What’s going on in Florence?:
Throughout the city tonight in Florence, you can find green beers, Irish music, and Irish shots. Specifically at the bars: Signoria, Duomo, and Porcellino. Besides this, there is an Irish Festival at Saschall where they will be serving Irish food, selling celtic products, and having live music. www.saschall.it
What I wore today:
My t-shirt, which I bought at Walmart for $3, says Irish in Spirit, American Born.
Enjoy your day and night!
Many parades are held to celebrate the holiday. The longest running of these are:
▪ Boston, Massachusetts, since 1737
▪ New York City, since 1762
▪ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1771
▪ Morristown, New Jersey, since 1780
▪ New Orleans, Louisiana, since 1809
▪ Buffalo, New York, since 1811
▪ Savannah, Georgia, since 1813
▪ Carbondale, Pennsylvania, since 1833
▪ New Haven, Connecticut, since 1842
▪ Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since 1843
▪ Chicago, Illinois, since 1843
▪ Saint Paul, Minnesota, since 1851
▪ San Francisco, California, since 1852
▪ Scranton, Pennsylvania, since 1862
▪ Cleveland, Ohio, since 1867
▪ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since 1869
▪ Kansas City, Missouri, since 1873
▪ Butte, Montana, since 1882
▪ Rolla, Missouri, since 1909
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