Celebrated on 03/17/2026
St. Patrick's Day was originally a religious feast day in the 17th century, but the first St. Patrick's Day parade actually took place in New York City in 1762, not in Ireland. Today, the holiday is celebrated by millions worldwide, with Chicago famously dyeing its river green each year.
St. Patrick's Day commemorates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the island in the 5th century. The day was first established as a Christian feast day in the early 17th century by the Catholic Church, with the date March 17 marking the traditional date of St. Patrick's death. The holiday was officially added to the liturgical calendar in 1631, and early celebrations were religious in nature, involving attending church services and feasting.
Over time, St. Patrick's Day evolved from a solemn religious observance into a broader celebration of Irish culture and heritage. The first St. Patrick's Day parade in Ireland took place in Dublin in 1931, but parades had been held in the United States since the 18th century, with Irish immigrants using the day to express their identity. Today, the holiday is celebrated globally with parades, wearing green, and public festivities. In Ireland, it remains a public holiday with religious roots, but the focus has shifted to cultural events and tourism.
Explore more celebrations, trivia, and quests on National Day Quest.