Six Mile Post

Inside March 15, 2005's Issue

-Features-

Cartersville Museum expands views westward

Volunteer/Learning Services needs students for community projects

Smashin' fashion makes a saucy student at Floyd

A bit o' St. Patty history

By Seth Acuff
[email protected]
Staff Writer

Leprechauns, limericks and all things green fill the minds of people everywhere on March 17.

The history of St. Patrick's Day begins with the birth of the not yet a saint Patrick near the end of the 4th century in Britain. After being kidnapped and forced into slavery in Ireland, Patrick became a devout Christian. He escaped his captors after six years and, following a brief return to his native Britain, came back to Ireland as a missionary to convert the pagan peoples who lived there.

Saint Patrick died on March 17 around 460 A.D. St. Patrick's Day is the anniversary of his death and is celebrated to glorify his contributions to Irish Christianity.

St. Patrick's Day was, and is still, celebrated as a religious occasion in Ireland but has found a place as a secular celebration in other countries. Some of the biggest St. Patty's Day celebrations are held in North America, including the United States where the first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in 1762. The parade consisted primarily of Irish soldiers serving in the English military.

Green is so much associated with St. Patrick's Day because it is the color of the landscape in Ireland during spring.

Today green is everywhere on March 17 highlighting rivers, fountains, beer and just about anything that can possibly be colored green.

For more fun facts and information about St. Pats, check out the St. Patrick's Day feature on www.historychannel.com .

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