St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, it is a religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century.

The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years. St. Patrick is believed to have driven the snakes from Ireland. Once a pagan himself, he is one of Christianity's most widely known figures.

The modern secular holiday is based on the original Christian saint's feast day also is also thought to be the date of the saint's death.

In 1737, Irish immigrants to the United States began observing the holiday publicly in Boston and held the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City in 1766.

Today, the tradition is continued with people from all walks and heritages wearing green, eating Irish food, and attending parades. St. Patrick's Day is bursting with folklore; from the shamrock to the leprechaun and to pinching those that are not wearing green.		 The First Parade

On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon.

Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762.

Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society.

Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.

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