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Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the
patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was
kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped,
but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s
death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his
life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well
known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy
Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.
Since around the ninth or 10th century, people in Ireland
have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17.
Interestingly, however, the first parade held to honor St. Patrick’s Day took
place not in Ireland but in the United States. On March 17, 1762, Irish
soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers
reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in
the English army.