This Saturday, millions of people around the world will celebrate March 17 in a big way: It’s Saint Patrick’s Day! What comes to mind when you think of St. Patrick’s Day? Perhaps visions of leprechauns, four leaf clovers, lucky charms, rainbows, gold and candy swirl through your brain. Millions sport green outfits. Have you ever been curious as to where these traditions began? Well, you’re in luck! With all of the technology available today, the answers are just waiting to be found (no need to follow the rainbow); they’re right at your fingertips! Read on to learn more about this day and how – with the help of technology – it has evolved through the years.
Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday that is recognized as a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Montserrat. Born in Britain (not Ireland) in the year 387, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland at the age of 16. He escaped a few years later, but soon returned to Ireland as a Bishop, introducing Christianity as an alternative to Ireland’s native polytheism.
Although Irish in origin, Saint Patrick’s Day is now celebrated worldwide. In the United States, it’s not a legal holiday but is celebrated nonetheless by wearing green, eating Irish food like corned beef, and even attending local events and parades. According to the U.S. Census, 34.7 million U.S. residents claim Irish ancestry, but nearly 122 million Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in some way! Given its popularity, it’s not hard to understand why this is the most widely celebrated saint’s day in the world (easily passing up Valentine’s Day).
We’ve come a long way from simple parades and feasts. Technology now allows us to do some pretty amazing things to celebrate the day in a BIG way. In previous years, landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Chicago River, and the White House Fountain, below, were all seeing green. If you live nearby, make sure to check them out this Saturday! We also have New York summer camps, Chicago camps and camps in DC – if you want to learn on a real university campus in one of these areas this summer!
Even if you aren’t going out to celebrate this holiday, technology has you covered. You can check out this St. Patrick’s Day Quiz app. Or, for a guaranteed laugh, you can add your face to this app and watch yourself (or your best friend, or even your pet!) dance around with music. Intrigued? We’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out our programming camps to learn how to develop your own apps.
Wishing you an iD Green St. Patrick’s Day!