Springie -- it used to be that way, but there are some areas that are coming around to the American take on the day. (Mostly in the larger cities.)

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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury

It's hardly recognised at all here in the UK, I don't know of anyone who will be celebrating.

In fact, I don't think any of the Saint's days (other than St Valentine's) are commemorated over here, at least not in a nationally recognised way. I suppose it would be different if they were declared a public holiday, but for most of us, they're just normal working days.

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Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope. - HELEN KELLER

It has become an excuse to drink, but it was originally a day for Irish pride. (I guess that was limited to areas in the US with large Irish populations...)

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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury

Yeah, that's pretty much it...we always made sure that we wore green, so we didn't get pinched. I remember panicking whenever I forgot to wear green! As a teacher, I always had green stickers on hand for kids who forgot. I didn't want other kids to think it was ok to pinch their classmates, so I forbid pinching. No one gets out of work or school for St. Pat's....but I was always wishing we could get out of school for it. The pinching thing made me crazy!

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There is no problem that cannot be solved with time, patience, and a judicious amount of high explosives.

It's like Cinco de Mayo, which isn't a holiday at all in Mexico.

Something to think about : today's Mexican-Americans are like the Irish-American 100 years ago. The anti-immigrant feelings aren't new, we've just changed our focus.. The Italians and German also had their turns at being shunned.

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Perspective Alters Reality

That was neat, EW! I'm surprised that they didn't mention Chicago. They always dye the Chicago River green for St. Pats...there is a time lapse video of it on You Tube, but I am having trouble posting the link since I am using my iPad right now...

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There is no problem that cannot be solved with time, patience, and a judicious amount of high explosives.

I'm sorry. Growing up in a post-communist land made me quite confused when it comes to St. Patrick. I know he's the patron saint of Ireland and all, but if it's not too much of a bother, I'd like you guys to tell me why you celebrate it and how you do it. I... uh... I'd love to do the same with an eastern-European celebration, but I'm afraid that the religion-is-poison motto is too much ingrained in my country's collective mind for me to offer much. (okay. maybe except the Witches' feast, but that's about it.) So... please? I know you drink green beer and all, but anything else?

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Die Sonne tönt, nach alter Weise, In Brudersphären Wettgesang, und ihre vorgeschriebne Reise, vollendet sie mit Donnergang.

My fanart is here

When I was growing up, St. Patrick's Day wasn't just an excuse to drink green beer. I'm 1/4 Irish, and I'm from an area that was first settled mostly by Germans and Irish, so the day was used to mark both the historical significance of St. Patrick and how the hardships the Irish have survived (and thrived.) So, I'd go to church in the morning, go to school (the younger kids would have a little party with green-colored cupcakes while learning stuff like how the shamrock became a symbol of Ireland), and then there would be a little family get-together.

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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury