2 minute read
FAST FACTS – intriguing facts and figures to entertain you.
No one knows where Saint Patrick was born. It’s a widely accepted fact that Saint Patrick was not an Irish native and was probably from Wales, but his specific birthplace is unclear. In his own works he says he’s from a place called Bannavem Taburniae, but this location is otherwise unknown.
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Quote of the week
“Never iron a “Nev four-leaf clover, fourbecause you never beca want to press your want luck.” luck. – Irish Proverb
Word of the day
More than 80,000 people show up for the Saint Patrick’s Day parade and family day in Sydney, the only event in the world outside Ireland to be organised and funded with support from the Irish government. On the other side of the country, Perth commits for the whole week, with a host of races, competitions, children’s activities and a massive parade as the finale.
By the numbers – Saint Patrick’s Day
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13 million
The number of pints of Guinness sold on Saint Patrick’s Day, double a regular day’s sales.
153%
The increase in spirit sales on the day compared with the rest of year.
91 metres
The world’s shortest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the town of Dripsey in County Cork, Ireland.
222 years
The number of years Australia has celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day.
Today in history – March 17
1941 – America’s National Gallery of Art opens in Washington DC. US president Franklin D Roosevelt opened the gallery, which today houses one of the world’s finest art collections. 1959 – The Dalai Lama flees Tibet for India. Followers and advisers of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, feared for his life after a revolt had erupted in Lhasa against the Chinese. 1969 – Golda Meir becomes Israel’s first female prime minister. In her country, she was known as the ‘Iron Lady’ long before British prime minister Margaret Thatcher rose to power. 1992 – Apartheid in South Africa comes to an end. In a referendum, 68.7 per cent of white South Africans voted for an abolishment of racial segregation in the country.
Prosaic
Dull, unimaginative or ordinary.
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