Ah, St. Patrick’s Day. Of all the national holidays, this particular ones hold a special place in the hearts of many. Celebrated in the United States for hundreds of years and by millions of people, St. Patrick’s day is our way of celebrating Irish culture, heritage and spirit. As March 17th inches closer, we thought we should help our readers with a St. Patrick’s Day refresher.
So who was St. Patrick? Born into a rather wealthy British family, he was kidnapped as a child and made a slave in the rugged land that was Ireland. Having escaped a few years after arriving on the Emerald Isle, St. Patrick converted to Christianity and made it his life’s work to convert the peoples of Ireland. Before the end of the 7th century, Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow. One of these would have it that he drove the snakes of Ireland into the sea to their destruction. Another, probably the most popular, is that of the shamrock, which has him explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, three persons in one God, to an unbeliever by showing him the three-leaved plant with one stalk.
Check out this great infographic about St.Patrick’s Day from the team over at History.com after the break.
If you’re interested in finding out more about St. Patrick, St. Patrick’s Day and all things green and Irish, head over to History.com’s page dedicated to this awesome national holiday.
