Today in History

March 17, 461 (Maybe)

St. Patrick's Day

On March 17, according to tradition, St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, died. Some sources record the year as 493, others say 461. Patrick was born in Roman Britain. Irish raiders captured him when he was sixteen and he was taken as a slave to Ireland. He lived there for six years before he escaped and returned by ship to his family. Like his father and grandfather, Patrick entered the church, becoming a deacon and a bishop. He had a vision which prompted his return to Ireland as a missionary. Legend tells of him driving the snakes from Ireland, which may be a reference to his missionary work replacing earlier pagan cults. He preached using a shamrock to illustrate the Christian theology of the trinity. Today, the Irish and not-so-Irish celebrate his life worldwide on St. Patrick's day.