Saint Patrick’s Day’s history is more concrete than that of other holidays, with facts and evidence supporting the celebration’s roots. For instance, St. Patrick wrote an autobiography called “Confessio” and another written work, “Letter to Coroticus.” These primary sources have given historians insight and knowledge into the life of Ireland’s patron saint.
St. Patrick was a Roman Brit born around A.D. 400 when the Romans occupied England. When he was a teenager, St. Patrick was kidnapped by Irish plunderers, brought to Ireland, and forced into slavery. He lived in Ireland for over half a decade, miserable as a herdsman. During this difficult time, it is believed that St. Patrick became a passionate follower of Christianity.
When he escaped home to Britain, St. Patrick felt a call to return to Ireland to spread Christianity amongst the Irish; he eventually went back after some time. Now free in a country where he was once enslaved, St. Patrick built churches and preached, amassing a Christian following within the population. However, conflict often interfered with St. Patrick’s religious mission. For instance, King Coroticus of Alt Clut, an area near the Scottish-English border, killed and kidnapped many of his followers. As a result, St. Patrick wrote his famous correspondence,
“Letter to Coroticus,” urging the king to release his abducted followers.
In the fifth century, St. Patrick supposedly died on March 17 in the Northern Irish village of Saul.
However, it was not until much later that St. Patrick’s Day became more widely celebrated.
Centuries after his death, Ireland held a feast for St. Patrick on March 17; as time passed and many Irish immigrated, the honoring of St. Patrick also spread. Parades appeared in Florida (at the time a Spanish colony), New York City, Chicago, and other famous cities.
When the Great Potato Famine occurred in the mid-19th century, thousands of Irish citizens immigrated to the U.S. These newcomers were not well-received in the beginning; therefore, the growing Irish population amassed extravagant St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, taking pride in the | Irish culture and demonstrating united strength in their ancestry. Today, these traditions have spread to cities and towns worldwide, showing one faithful man’s power in unifying the globe for a day.
Facts About Saint Patrick’s Day by caporcelli