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St. Patrick's Day (March 17) honors St. Patrick, who is credited with converting the Irish to Christianity.  St. Patrick passed away on March 17 in AD 461.  This holiday is one of the few national holidays given so much recognition outside of its native land.  In Ireland, almost all businesses (except restaurants) are closed for the holiday.  Many people attend mass to pray for missionaries (it IS a religious holiday) -- before going out and celebrating.

In the US, there are parades in more than 100 cities (with the largest in New York City).  On this day, it is said, "Everyone is Irish!"  Many people wear green; some even eat green food or drink green beer!  Why is green associated with St. Patrick's Day?  Green is the color of Ireland, the shamrock, and spring.  

The Shamrock symbolizes the cross and the Holy Trinity.  Before the Christian era, the shamrock was the sacred plant of the Druids of Ireland -- because its leaves form a triad.  St. Patrick is associated with the shamrock because he often used the plant to illustrate the Holy Trinity.

St. Patrick was born in Scotland, but was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland.  He escaped to France (brought there by his religious visions) -- and eventually became a deacon, a priest, and finally a bishop.  St. Patrick wanted to return to Ireland to convert the pagans who had overrun the country.  Pope Celestine eventually sent him back to Ireland to preach the Gospel, where he made a huge impact, and is remembered today.  St. Patrick was well-traveled and has many sites and churches named after him.

St. Patrick has both history and legend surrounding his name.  One legend is that St. Patrick drove snakes and serpents from Ireland.  Different stories tell of how St. Patrick accomplished this feat, but the stories are most likely symbolic of driving pagan worship (and especially the worship of serpent symbols) out of Ireland.  By the way, Ireland does NOT have snakes -- and probably never had snakes since it was separated from the rest of Europe since the Ice Age!