Facts JUST THE St. Patrick’s Day

1861

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

While Americans hail from a multitude of countries, one thing is for certain — come March 17, we’re all Irish. St. Patrick’s Day has become a tradition across the world, and in America, the green beer flows from sea to shining sea. Of course, this holiday honors a fourth century priest, but other elements may be a bit murkier. To dispel the truth from the Blarney, read on:

The standard St. Patrick’s Day fare — corn beef and cabbage — was served as a part of President Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural luncheon, which was held on March 4, 1861.

1600

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in the Spanish colony of St. Augustine in 1600.

March 17th

was the day St. Patrick died, and not as some may think, his birthday.

1914

The first green beer was the brainchild of Dr. Thomas Hayes Curtin in preparation for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the Schnerer Club in New York City in 1914. The cheer Sláinte means “health” in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

50 pounds

The Chicago River is annually dyed green for the Windy City’s festivities. It takes 50 pounds of dye and about 45 minutes for the river to become fully colored. And it takes a few days for it to disappear.

3-leafed clovers

Shamrocks were first called “seamroys” by the ancient Celts. Then as now, they heralded the arrival of spring. Later, the three-leafed clover came to symbolize the Holy Trinity and was often used during conversion efforts.

Cedric King, Director

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“She always knew she wanted to married at Christ Church because it meant so much to her,” recounts her mother. “She served as an acolyte, was Mary in the Christmas play, and participated in all the Episcopal youth programs.”

The inside of the invitation envelope had a watercolor rendering of Christ Church.

“It was the most perfect day ever on the island,” Sara recalls. “It was crisp, cool, and sunny.”

Sara and Bryce had known each other since elementary school, but never dated until after college when they bumped into each other while both were visiting home for Thanksgiving.

For the bride, the perfect moment came when she stepped to the door, on the arm of her father, smelled the fragrance of the flowers (by longtime friend Edward Armstrong), heard the music, saw her heart’s most special people, and her beloved waiting at the altar.

WORDS BY RONDA RICH