7 St. Patrick's Day<br />Traditions Explained Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, <br />but why are these traditions so significant? 1. St. Patrick Patrick was an Irish missionary who<br />was kidnapped as a child and<br />brought to Ireland. March 17 is<br />believed to be the day of his death. 2. The Green River<br />in Chicago The Chicago River has been<br />traditionally dyed green for over 50<br />years. The color green is derived<br />from the green strip in the Irish flag. 3. Parades The first St. Patrick’s Day parade<br />in the U.S. was in 1762. They allow<br />people to proudly celebrate their<br />Irish-American identity. 4. Shamrocks Shamrocks used to be worn by the<br />Irish in defiance of the ruling British<br />class and to represent kinship<br />among the native people. 5. Drinking Guinness This Irish stout is the drink<br />of choice on St. Patrick's Day,<br />with about 13 million pints<br />consumed on the holiday. 6. Leprechauns These little green men come from<br />8th century Irish folklore. They were<br />said to make shoes and wreck<br />havoc on unsuspecting humans. 7. Corned Beef<br />and Cabbage This tradition was begun by poor<br />Irish-Americans of the 19th century.<br />Corned beef and cabbage were<br />the affordable option.
