Initially, St. Patrick's Day was a solemn religious observance in Ireland, featuring church services and feasts in his honor. However, as Irish immigrants spread around the world, particularly to the United States, the holiday transformed into a broader celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

While St. Patrick's Day is not recognized as a federal holiday in the U.S., it gives both Irish and non-Irish Americans a themed reason to celebrate. It is a national holiday in Ireland, and while the celebration kicks off tourist season now,