Category: March 17

• ST. PATRICK’S DAY – March 17th

  ST. PATRICK’S DAY

  St. Patrick’s Day kicks off a worldwide celebration also known as the Feast of St. Patrick. On March 17th, many will wear green in honor of the Irish and decorate with shamrocks. According to lore, the wearing of the green tradition dates back to a story written about St. Patrick in 1726. St. Patrick (c. AD 385–461) used the shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity and worn green clothing. And while the story is unlikely to be true, many will revel in the Irish heritage and eat traditional Irish fare, too. 

  #StPatricksDay

  In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated since before the country was formed. At times, the holiday has been a bit more of a rowdy one, with green beer, parades, and talk of leprechauns. However, in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day takes on a more solemn mood. It wasn’t until events in the United States broadcast in Ireland that some of the Yankee ways spread across the pond. One Irish-American tradition not common to Ireland is corned beef and cabbage. 

  HOW TO OBSERVE ST. PATRICK’S DAY

  • Wear green.
  • Read up about St. Patrick’s Day.
  • Cook up an Irish feast!
  • Use #StPatricksDay to post on social media.

  Check out this delicious Reuben Casserole from #holidayfoodies. You won’t regret it!

  SAINT PATRICK’S DAY HISTORY

  The Feast of St. Patrick started in the early 17th-century. The day marks the death of St. Patrick and was chosen as an official Christian feast day and is observed by the Catholic Church. The day is also a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora around the world, especially in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.

  Saint Patrick’s FAQ

  Q. How many people in the United States are of Irish descent?
  A. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 31.5 million Americans claim Irish descent. That’s a lot of Irish-Americans! And that includes those who may be 100% Irish or less than 15% Irish. A little bit of the Emerald Isle goes a long way.

  Q. Can I pinch someone who isn’t wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day?
  A. The tradition of pinching those who don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day comes from the belief that wearing green made one invisible to the fairies and leprechauns spreading mischief on that day. These legendary creatures were known for their pinching. Those celebrating the day would pinch those who didn’t wear green as a reminder of what could happen (or to impersonate the leprechauns and fairies). That said if you’re going to pinch on St. Patrick’s Day, be gentle, or better yet, bring along some green stickers to place on other revelers as a way of offering protection from those menacing leprechauns and fairies.

  March 16, 2015

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  National Day Calendar

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  March 17, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

• NATIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY – March 17

  NATIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY

  On March 17th National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day coincide with St. Patrick’s Day in the United States.

  #CornedBeefAndCabbageDay

  To “corn” something is simply to preserve it in a salty brine (the term corn refers to the coarse grains of salt used for curing).

  Corned beef is a salt-cured beef product. Traditional Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage recipes used salt pork or a bacon joint instead of corned beef. However, sometime in the mid-1800s when the Irish immigrated to America, they found Jewish corned beef very similar in texture to the bacon joint (pork). As a result, they used corned beef as a replacement for the bacon when preparing corned beef and cabbage meals. Soon after, Irish-Americans began having Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day.

  Corned beef and cabbage remains a popular food in many areas of the United States.

  In Ireland today, the serving of corned beef is geared toward tourist consumption.  Most Irish in Ireland do not identify it as native cuisine.

  • In the United States, corned beef is often purchased ready to eat in delicatessens.
  • Smoking corned beef and adding spice mixes produces a smoked meat such as pastrami.
  • Corned beef can also be found sold in minced forms and cans.

  HOW TO OBSERVE CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY

  • Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with one of the traditional dishes in the United States.
  • Order corned beef and cabbage at a local pub or restaurant. Give the chef a shout-out for their delicious dish, too.
  • Make corned beef and cabbage. Your local butcher will be sure to give you some pointers.
  • We even have a recipe for you to try. Crock-Pot Easy Corn Beef and Cabbage Recipe
  • If you go out to celebrate, be sure to give the restaurant a shout-out. They’ll be glad that you did.
  • Use #CornedBeefAndCabbageDay to post on social media.

  NATIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY HISTORY

  While the original creator of this food holiday is lost to history, corned beef and cabbage has long been associated with the St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

  Corned Beef and Cabbage FAQ

  Q. Does corned beef make a good sandwich?
  A. Oh, yes it does!! Add some pickled beets and mustard to rye bread for a delicious meal.

  Q. Are other meats “corned”?
  A. They sure are. Lamb and pork are two commonly corned meats.

  March 17th Celebrated History

  1910

  Luther Halsey Gulick, M.D., and his wife, Charlotte Gulick found the Camp Fire Girls.

  1933

  D. Appleton and Company publishes Human Nature by Edith Wharton.

  1946

  Warming up. Jackie Robinson takes the field for the first time for the Brooklyn Dodgers in an exhibition game in Daytona Beach, Florida.

  1969

  Israel elects Golda Meir as its first female prime minister.

  2008

  New York state elected David Paterson as its first African American Governor.

  March 17th Celebrated History

  Bobby Jones – 1902

  In 1934 the amateur golfer co-founded the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, known today as the Masters Tournament.

  Nat King Cole – 1919

  The jazz recording artist, songwriter, and pianist left a legacy of hit songs in his wake and a career full of internationally loved songs. Some of his most notable songs include “The Very Thought of You,” “Unforgettable,” “When I Fall in Love,” and “Smile.”

  Myrlie Evers-Williams – 1933

  on June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers died at the hand of an assassin. For 31 years and through two hung juries, his wife and fellow civil rights activist Myrlie Evers Williams persevered. She remained active in civil rights, advanced her education, was named the first African American woman to serve as commissioner for the Los Angeles, California Board of Public works, and served as chairperson for the NAACP in the 1990s. In 1993, Byron De La Beckwith was found guilty.

  Robin Knox-Johnston – 1939

  The British yachtsman became the first person to solo circumnavigate the globe non-stop. The 29-year-old Robin Knox Johnston departed from Falmouth, England, on June 14, 1968, in his yacht the Suhaili. His journey took 312 days and was completed on April 22, 1969. Queen Elizabeth knighted Johnston in 1995. In 2007, Sir Johnston once again circled the globe when he joined the Velux 5 Oceans around the world solo yacht race. At the age of 68, he became the oldest person to complete the journey.

  Gary Sinise – 1955

  The American actor, known for roles in television and film such as CSI: NY, Apollo 13, The Green Mile, and The Stand, also leads The Lt. Dan Band named after his Forest Gump character. Throughout his career, Sinise has been a fierce supporter of the military and first responders. In 2011, he founded The Gary Sinise Foundation to further support our country’s heroes.

  Mia Hamm – 1970

  The American professional soccer player was a member of the United States women’s national soccer team for 17 years earning two FIFA Women’s World Championships and two Olympic gold medals.

  Notable Mentions

  Norbert Rillieux – 1806
  Paul Green – 1894
  Kurt Russell – 1951
  Rob Lowe – 1964

  June 12, 2014

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  National Day Calendar

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  March 17, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle