John Joly discovered one of the most important factors for social media. It was the year 1894, and he had no idea how vital his discovery would be for future generations. He changed the way people saw pictures by successfully producing color photographs. If it weren’t for this man, what would selfies be like? Joly was a famous Irish inventor, also responsible for the idea of using radiation to treat cancer.
St. Patrick’s Day has become a day of recognizing Irish heritage. There’s a lot more to the day than just green beer.
The Origins of St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the day that St. Patrick is thought to have died – March 17. Patrick was a missionary and bishop from Rome who went to Ireland to convert the pagans. It’s believed he lived during the 5th century, but there are few documents which provide dates, and historians are not in agreement as to the authenticity of these. He was a different missionary, refusing to take money for baptisms or for ordination. Because he refused to accept gifts from kings, he was outside their protection. This landed him in jail at least once, possibly waiting an execution.
Most of what is known about Patrick is from his own writings. The Pope never officially canonized Patrick, but the local church celebrated Patrick liturgically as a saint. He was honored locally for many generations. In the 9th century, the feast day became almost a national day. Later, his name became synonymous as the patron of Ireland. In the early 1600s, a Franciscan scholar used his influence to place St. Patrick’s Day on the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church.
The Secular Celebration
Even though the Church celebrated the day of St. Patrick, it became a secular celebration of nationality. In 1903, the day became a public holiday in Ireland. Strangely, a law was passed that required pubs and bars to close on the day. This wasn’t due to the Catholic Church’s influence, but to the fact that drinking got out of hand on March 17. This law was repealed in the 1970s, thank goodness.
The Irish government saw the opportunity to use St. Patrick’s Day as a way to celebrate Irish nationality, even though church leaders want to take back the day as a religious celebration. The three-day festival that began in 1997 has turned into five days of concerts, theater performances, food, beer, and fireworks. In 2009, attendance reached one million visitors.
St. Patrick’s Day has become a day for Irish nationals to celebrate, no matter where they are. It’s a time they remember their heritage and wear shamrocks and other green accessories. The three-leafed shamrock was thought to have been used by Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity, which is why it represents the day.
St. Patrick’s Day Around the World
In the United States, many prominent fountains or waterways have green dye added to change the color. Some towns paint the lines of the parade route green. A lot of pubs and bars serve green ale in honor of the day. In the northeast, gardeners often plant peas on March 17. In towns with a large Irish population, there may be even more festivities for families to attend.
Celebrations aren’t limited to the United Kingdom and United States. South Korea has held an annual parade since 1976 in Seoul. Russia held its first parade in 1992, and the day now includes a full festival complete with jugglers, music, and jolly-jumpers. Malaysia holds the largest celebration in honor of St. Patrick in Asia, which it has been celebrating since 1925. Buenos Aires, Argentina, holds a party every year, but the Irish community hasn’t been a part of the organization.
Celebrate Irish heritage on March 17. Take a selfie and thank Joly for creating color photography.