Five Random Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
#1.) St. Patrick Wasn't Irish. We've said it before and we'll say it again...St. Patrick wasn't actually Irish! He was born in Scotland or Wales, and brought to Ireland as a slave. Also, his name wasn't Patrick...his given name was Maewyn.
#2.) Until 1970, Irish Bars Closed On St. Patrick's Day. In 1903, St. Patrick's Day was named a national holiday in Ireland. Nice tribute, but in Ireland, bars have to close on national holidays. That was overturned in 1970.
#3.) America Is Far More Irish Than Ireland. There are more than 35 million Americans with Irish ancestry. The population of Ireland is 4.2 million.
#4.) Four Out Of Five Americans Wear Green Today. And about 20 million, or about one out of 13, go to a bar.
#5.) It's Really Easy To Dye The Chicago River. The Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day . . . and it only takes 40 pounds of green vegetable dye to do it. That green lasts for a few days.
Here's a video with more info on Chicago's "Green River":