7 Surprising Facts About St. Patrick's Day You Didn't Know

St. Patrick's Day is a beloved holiday that is celebrated by millions of people worldwide. The day is known for its green theme, parades, and celebrations of Irish culture. However, there is a lot more to St. Patrick's Day than meets the eye. In this blog post, we will explore seven surprising facts about this holiday that you may not have known before.

St. Patrick Was Not Irish :

Despite being the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was not actually Irish. He was born in Britain and was taken captive by Irish raiders when he was 16 years old. He spent several years in captivity before escaping and returning to his homeland. After becoming a priest, he returned to Ireland as a missionary.

The First St. Patrick's Day Parade Was Not in Ireland :

The first St. Patrick's Day parade actually took place in New York City in 1762. Irish soldiers serving in the British army marched in a parade to celebrate their heritage.

The Original Color Associated with St. Patrick's Day Was Blue :

The color originally associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green. The shift to green happened gradually, and it wasn't until the 19th century that green became the predominant color associated with the holiday.

St. Patrick's Day Was Once a Dry Holiday :

St. Patrick's Day was once considered a religious holiday, and the consumption of alcohol was forbidden. It wasn't until the 1970s that pubs in Ireland were allowed to open on St. Patrick's Day, and the holiday became a day of drinking and revelry.

The Chicago River is Dyed Green Every Year on St. Patrick's Day :

One of the most iconic St. Patrick's Day traditions is the dyeing of the Chicago River. The tradition started in 1962 when city officials used green dye to trace illegal sewage discharges. Since then, the river has been dyed green every year to celebrate the holiday.

St. Patrick's Day is Celebrated in Space :

Believe it or not, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in space. In 2011, astronaut Catherine Coleman played a flute that had been used by an Irish band, while orbiting the earth aboard the International Space Station.

St. Patrick's Day is a Big Business :

St. Patrick's Day is big business, with billions of dollars spent on food, drinks, and decorations. In fact, it's estimated that Americans alone spend over $5 billion on St. Patrick's Day celebrations each year.

The first St. Patrick's Day parade was not held in Ireland :

While St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in Ireland for over a thousand years, the first St. Patrick's Day parade was actually held in the United States. The parade took place in New York City in 1762, and it featured Irish soldiers who were serving in the British army at the time.

The Chicago River is dyed green on St. Patrick's Day :

Every year, the Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The tradition started in 1962, when city officials used green dye to trace illegal sewage discharges in the river. Today, the river is dyed green as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebration, and the dye used is actually an eco-friendly vegetable-based formula.

St. Patrick's Day has its own color :

When people think of St. Patrick's Day, they often think of the color green. However, the original color associated with St. Patrick was actually blue. In fact, many St. Patrick's Day parades still feature marchers wearing blue, and the coat of arms of the St. Patrick's Battalion, a group of Irish soldiers who fought in the Mexican-American War, features a blue background. The switch to green is believed to have started during the 19th century, when the color became associated with the Irish independence movement.

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday that is steeped in tradition and history. From its origins as a religious holiday to its evolution into a day of drinking and revelry, there is a lot to learn about this beloved holiday. Whether you're Irish or not, St. Patrick's Day is a day to celebrate Irish culture and heritage, and these surprising facts help to make the day even more special.