Post by nickchu

A quick look at some of the things that make your shindig work (or not):

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

River dyed green in Chicago. Image by Hans.

St. Patrick’s Day: March 17

St. Patrick’s original name: Maewyn/Succat

St. Patrick’s Day’s original intent: Religious feast day

First parade celebrations observed in US: 1737 in Boston

In Canada: 1824 in Montreal

In Dublin: 1931

Number of Canadians with Irish ancestry: 4.3 million

In US: 36.2 million

In Ireland: 4.2 million

Only province where St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday: Newfoundland

Province with largest percent of population with Irish ancestry: Newfoundland

One of Ireland’s most famous alcoholic exports: Guinness

Famous slogan: “Guinness is Good for You”

Scientific evidence: Daily pint reduces blood clotting

Number of Guinness pints consumed on average per day: 5.5 million

Number of consumed on St. Patrick’s Day: 13 million

Best selling beer in Ireland: Budweiser

World’s 2nd heaviest drinking country (per capita): Ireland

Drinking beer in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day (historically): Illegal

Year in which ban was finally lifted: 1970

Traditional Irish toast: May your glass ever be full!