It’s true – St. Patrick’s Day is probably the most popular holiday in March. But did you know about St. Joseph’s Day? In fact, there are dozens of holidays and observances in March that you may never have heard of!
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the Fifth Century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. Originally celebrated with religious feasts and church services, St. Patrick’s Day became a secular celebration of Irish culture when it reached the United States alongside Irish immigrants. Today, St. Patrick’s Day is packed with parades, good luck charms, shamrocks, and all things green.
Here’s an interesting fact about St. Patrick we bet you didn’t know:
St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish! Despite being the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was born in Britain in either Scotland or Wales (accounts tend to vary on that point). His parents, Calpurnius and Conchessa, were both Roman citizens, and his mother gave birth to him in 385 AD.
For more little-known facts about St. Patrick, click here.
Interested in the history of St. Patrick’s Day? Visit history.com’s overview.
St. Joseph’s Day. Elsewhere in the world, people are celebrating Saint Joseph’s Day, the Patron Saint of Workers and Families. Celebrated on March 19, St. Joseph’s Day (also called the Feast of Saint Joseph or the Solemnity of Saint Joseph), is recognized in Italy, Malta, Spain, Poland, the Phillippines, Canada, England, and parts of the United States. In fact, New Orleans, which was a major port of entry for Sicilian immigrants during the late 19th century, hosts the Feast of Saint Joseph as a citywide event!
On this day, celebrants wear red and the traditional St. Joseph’s Day dessert is the Zeppole.
Want to read about more observances? From Employee Appreciation Day and Women’s History Month to National Tater Day and Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month, there’s a holiday in March for everyone!
