St Patrick’s Day Facts and Statistics for 2024
Last Updated on: January 8th, 2024
Here are a few of the most interesting St Patrick’s Day facts and statistics I was able to dig up in my internet travels. As always, be sure to check back in the future as I will be updating this post as new and updated stats become available.
St. Patrick’s Day is an annual cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17th, honoring Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is a public holiday in Ireland, and also widely celebrated in many other parts of the world, particularly in the United States and Canada, where many people of Irish descent live.
The origin of St. Patrick’s Day dates back to the early 17th century when it was made an official Christian feast day by the Catholic Church in honor of Saint Patrick, who is believed to have died on March 17, 461 AD. Saint Patrick is known for bringing Christianity to Ireland, and his feast day has been celebrated by the Irish for over a thousand years.
The day was originally a solemn religious holiday in Ireland, but over time it has become a more secular celebration of Irish culture and heritage, with parades, parties, and other festivities. Many people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day as a symbol of Irish pride, and it has become a popular day for drinking and socializing, particularly in the United States.
St Patrick’s Day Facts and Statistics
When did St Patrick live:
AD 385-461
St Patrick wasn’t actually Irish. He was from either Scotland or Wales
Saint Patrick’s real name:
Maewyn Succat
What is the significance of March 17th:
It was the day Saint Patrick died
When was green first associated with St Patrick’s Day:
the 1640s
When were Shamrocks first associated with St Patrick’s Day:
the 1680s
What did the Shamrock originally symbolize:
The Holy Trinity
Year of first New York City St Patrick’s Day parade:
1762
Number of people who march in the New York City St Patrick’s Day parade:
Number of spectators for the New York City St Patrick’s Day parade:
First year that green dye was dumped into the Chicago River:
1962
Amount of green dye used in the Chicago River each year:
Average annual spending on St Patrick’s Day:
Percentage of the American population that celebrate St Patrick’s Day:
Annual average number of cards exchanged by Americans on St Patrick’s Day:
Estimated amount spent on beer on St Patrick’s Day:
St Patrick’s Day was actually a dry holiday in Ireland until a law requiring pubs to shut down on the day was overturned in 1970.
Year the Shamrock Shake was first introduced by McDonald’s:
1970
Please note that some of these numbers are easier to find than others. Most of these fun facts come from internet reports and may not be official tallies. No information contained on DMR should be relied upon to make investment decisions. Basically, this is the best I can find and I don’t guarantee anything to be 100%.
