How much do you actually know about St. Patrick's Day?

Every year on the 17th of March, Ireland has been marking St. Patrick's Day for over a millennium.

Throughout time, the holy day dedicated to Saint Patrick, who is the beloved saint of Ireland, has transformed into a day to honor Irish traditions by showcasing parades, music, unique cuisine, dances and an abundance of the color green- which is often connected with the patron saint.

Ireland has many well-known symbols and stories, like leprechauns and shamrocks, that are connected to Saint Patrick. He is recognized for bringing Christianity to Ireland when it was still predominantly pagan. Saint Patrick employed Celtic symbols, like leprechauns, which were believed to be troublesome fairies, to help Irish people identify with Christianity. A popular tale suggests that he picked the shamrock, a three-leaved clover, as a symbol for the Church and used it to teach his followers about the Holy Trinity, with each leaf representing a different aspect.

Currently, Saint Patrick's Day is commemorated across the globe in over 200 nations. It's regarded as a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador province of Canada, and Montserrat, which are inhabited by people of Irish ancestry.

Every year on Saint Patrick's Day, the Chicago river in the United States is turned green using 40 pounds of dye (less than the original amount of 100 to reduce harm to the environment). The river remains green for a brief period, unlike before when its hue lasted for up to a week.

St. Patrick's Day is enjoyed in various parts of the world, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Argentina, primarily by the Irish community living abroad.

Who exactly is Saint Patrick and what makes him stand out?

Presented below are seven unacknowledged pieces of information about St. Patrick:

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St. Patrick's birthplace was in Britain, and not in Ireland, during the later part of the 4th century.

When he was 16 years old, he was taken by Irish attackers who later sold him into slavery to take care of their sheep. After fleeing from captivity, he returned to his birthplace in Britain and sought refuge in a monastery. Several years later, he was ordained as a priest and spent the following 16 years traveling throughout Europe, acquiring knowledge of the teachings of Christianity.

After a while, he came back to Ireland to modify the country, which was previously governed by pagan beliefs, into a Christian-dominated society.

The True Color of Saint Patrick: Blue, Not Green

Though St. Patrick is now commonly linked with green, along with all things Irish, he initially sported blue attire. Additionally, the azure blue hue that represented St. Patrick before is what we now refer to as "St. Patrick's blue".

During the 18th century, there was growing dissatisfaction with English rule, which led to the emergence of the Irish independence movement. The Shamrock, associated with St. Patrick, was adopted as a symbol of unity and resistance. As a result, the color green gained popularity and became a representation of support for Irish independence.

Nevertheless, at present, the official color of Ireland, as a coat of arms, is St. Patrick's blue, which can be described as a shade of azure blue.

"Patrick Wasn't His Actual Name"

Maewyn Succat was the birth name of St. Patrick, who was born to parents that were followers of Christianity in Roman Britain.

Although his father served as a deacon and his grandfather as a priest, St. Patrick wasn't particularly devout during his early years, from his own telling. Following his ordination, he adopted the name Patricus, which he later altered to Patrick when he went back to Ireland.

"Saint Patrick Banished the Snakes from Ireland"

According to a well-known tale, St. Patrick, who is now commemorated with a pilgrimage destination known as Croagh Patrick in Ireland, reportedly made his way up a hill and waved a wooden stick to oust all reptiles from the country. More than 100,000 individuals scale this sacred peak annually.

Regardless, researchers affirm that there were never any snakes inhabiting the island nation.

The idea of banishing snakes from Ireland may not be literal, but it's possible it represents the removal of paganism and the rise of Christianity in the country.

"Saint Patrick's Day: Its Religious Roots and Evolution into a Day of Celebrations."

Back in 1903, the law in Ireland made St. Patrick's Day an official religious observance day.

Prior to the 1970s, Irish law mandated that all pubs be closed on March 17th.

Back in 1995, the Irish government kickstarted a nationwide initiative to leverage St. Patrick's Day for the purpose of boosting tourism and showcasing Irish traditions and heritage to the global audience.

Presently, people observe it as a day for indulging in alcohol, enjoying a big meal, and participating in processions where numerous individuals attire themselves as mythical creatures known as leprechauns.

St. Patrick's Day Parades Originate in America, Not Ireland

Even though Saint Patrick's Day has been a cherished celebration in Ireland for thousands of years, the renowned parades that are now the quintessential part of the holiday started in the United States in the 1700s, thanks to Irish immigrants.

In 1737, there was a St. Patrick's Day parade held in Boston, Massachusetts. This was the first parade of its kind. However, the parades we witness today have a different origin. It all started with a parade in New York back in 1762, and the festivities have evolved over time.

Saint Patrick's Day was a special occasion of joy and pride for Irish immigrants who faced challenges in America. These people were forced to leave their homeland due to famine, and upon reaching the US, they were unable to secure any employment. However, the commemoration of Saint Patrick's Day provided the Irish immigrants with a means to celebrate their heritage and to connect with their cultural origins.

"Uncertainty Surrounds the Burial Site of St. Patrick"

Despite there being numerous locations claiming to be the burial site of Saint Patrick, the actual location of his grave remains unknown.

Many believe that St. Patrick's final resting place is Down Cathedral in the town of Downpatrick in Northern Ireland. There, Brigid and Columba, two other important saints of Ireland, are also buried. Another possible location for the saint's tomb is Glastonbury Abbey, located in England. However, this theory is not universally accepted.