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Test
Your Irish I.Q.
How much do you really know about
the trivia surrounding St. Patrick's Day? Test your knowledge
-- and then pop the questions on friends. It's always fun
to feel smug knowing all the answers. (Answers are at the
end of the quiz, no peeking!)
Q. March
17 commemorates what event?
- St. Patrick's birthday
- Irish independence
- The date of St. Patrick's
death
- It was chosen at random
Q. The
first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in New York
City in what year?
Q. Which
of the following countries hold St. Patrick's Day celebrations?
- Ireland
- USA
- Canada
- Australia
Q. The
shamrock is symbolic of
- corned beef, cabbage
and beer
- the Trinity
- the third month of the
year
- good luck
Q. Irish
celebrations of St. Patrick's day were noted for what
until the 1970s?
- Costumes and games
- Painting buildings green
- Religious celebrations
and closed pubs
- There were no celebrations
How'd
you do?
If you haven't cheated,
you're ready for the answers.
March
17 is actually the date of St. Patrick's death,
not his birth or anything else. It is normal for Saints
to be commemorated on their death anniversary.
The
first St. Patrick's Day parade was staged by Irish soldiers
in the English army in New York City way back in 1762.
It was a way to draw the Irish together in solidarity and
cultural unity. Years later, they also realized it showed
their numbers -- and that meant power. Since that time,
St. Patrick's Day festivities have been regular stops on
politicians' agendas.
All
of the countries listed celebrate St. Patrick's day in some
way.
The
Shamrock was something St. Patrick used to explain the Trinity
-- God who was Three and yet One -- to the Irish.
Think of it as a visual aid. It became associated with him
strongly, and still features in any St. Paddy's Day theme.
The Irish were the last
ones to catch on to the tourish implications of St. Patrick's
Day. Until the 1970s, it was
primarily a religious celebration, and the pubs were closed
by law. Quite different than it's American
counterpart, with green alcoholic beverages and hilarity.
Since the mid 1990s, the St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin,
Ireland has drawn massive crowds, however, since it is a
multi-day festival of food, entertainment and culture. Last
year, over a million people attended.
For
more about St. Patrick's Day:
- The
History Channel -- You can see a video about the history
of the holiday, take quizzes about Ireland and all things
Irish, and much more.
- St.
Patrick's Festival site -- Even if you can't go this
year, you can read about it and make plans for next year.
The 4-day festival has something for everyone.
- St.
Patrick's Day website -- Everything from humor to
history, gifts to goings on.
Happy
St. Patrick's Day!
Please drink responsibly. |
