St. Patrick's Day in the U.S.A.

Why do Americans celebrate an Irish holiday? How is St. Patrick's Day celebrated in the United States and in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina?

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, the religious feast day of St. Patrick, and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast--on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by all the Irish and by people who have Irish ancestry.

Both Christians and non-Christians now celebrate the festival by dressing in green, enjoying Irish cuisine which includes cabbage and Irish drink and attending parades. Some establishments sell beer dyed green for the holiday. In the United States there are many people with Irish heritage, and they imported the tradition and Festival of St. Patrick's day to the United States. That's why Americans celebrate Saint Patrick's Day on March 17. Here in Raleigh-Durham, the celebration begins with decorated cars, parades, bands, bagpipes and everyone dresses in green and sings Irish songs and enjoy traditional food like smoked pork potatoes, cabbage and green beer.

-Yimy, Kirsa & Diana

St. Patrick's Day in Chicago (Illinois)

When I was in Chicago, I was invited by my friend to this celebration. In Chicago, Irish-Americans dye the Chicago River green, they decorate all cars with paper streamer, and they drink green dyed beer. I asked my friend why American people celebrate this day. She told me that this tradition comes from Ireland, she told a little history about it. St. Patrick was born at the end of the 4th century in Ireland. When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped from his home by a group of Irish pirates and taken to Ireland. There he was sold as a slave, and when he was 22 years old he escaped to France and began to study the Bible. He returned to Ireland to convert the people to Christianity. People at this celebration wear green colored clothing and hats. People also wear shamrocks which are a symbol of Ireland.
-Yirla


Raleigh's St. Patrick's Day Parade (Pictures of Raleigh's St. Patrick's Day Parade from the News and Observer)

(Below is a news story about an Irishman who moved to Toledo, Ohio and learned how St. Patrick's Day is celebrated differently in the United States)

We are the Internationalists

My name is Kirsa E De Portage. I’m from Panama. I moved to the U.S. in 2006. I have been in NC for one month. I moved here because my husband’s job. My interest is having a career, and I enjoy going to the movies and listening to music.

My name is Diana Henaon. I’m from Colombia. I moved to the United States in June of last year, so nine months ago.  I moved here because my husband works for Duke University.  I exercise, walk or stay in home watching T.V. and I go shopping, or to restaurants, walk the tobacco trail. My favorite place in Durham is Duke Gardens because it’s relaxing and always smells good. I can go there for a picnic.

My name is Yassine Boutkardin.  I'm from Morocco. I moved to the U.S in December 2011. I left my country to the U.S for a better life and better education. My interests are tennis, cinema, traveling, and manga movie.  My favorite place in Raleigh-Durham is Lake Crabtree in Morrisville.

My name is Yimy. I am from Honduras in Central America. I moved to the United States in October of 2003.I have been here for nine years. I moved here, because I want to live a better life and have a better education. I am interested in improving my English. My favorite places are church and school.

My name is Yirla Meza. I'm from Colombia. I arrived to Chicago, IL in November 2, 2010 and stayed there for seven months. I moved to Durham in June, 2011. I moved here because my husband and I wanted to live more quietly. Chicago is a crowded and expensive city.
My interest is to improve my English and speak it very well. My favorite things to do for fun and enjoyment are visiting museums, botanic gardens, testing many different foods in restaurants around this area, and experiencing the cultural diversity.
My favorite place or thing to do in Durham is walk, because I can breathe pure air, and the winter time is not so hard here. I don't know too much about Raleigh, but I was in Chapel Hill last year, I was enjoying with my husband the Halloween celebration. We saw many different and funny costumes. It was great!!!

 My name is Natasha, and I am from Japan. I moved to the United States in August 2011. I have lived here for 7 months. I moved here to study at Duke. I like doing sports, listening to music and watching movies. I often play golf in Durham.

I'm Joel Kalombo, and I'm from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I came in this country in November 2010 and I've been here for one year and 4 months. The reason what I came here is because my family lived here for a long time and they asked me to join them. I don't have any favorite place yet but I love nature I mean greenery.  I also like to sightsee. lol