Why is St. Patricks Day such an important day in America, despite it being an Irish national holiday?
by 
Biggie15
ANSWERS: 16
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It's an excuse to drink too much. (Not that Americans need another excuse)
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Its a memorable day to the irish and a day to party with beer and drink. And since our irish population is fine, then it's a well known holiday here at the USA.
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I think it may be because so many Irish settled in the USA in the 1800's and they wanted to celebrate their heritage. It has grown over the years and it's another reason to party.
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It's just a good excuse to drink. Most Americans just regard it as a fun, silly holiday with no real meaning.
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St. Patrick's Day might have become popular, because it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring.
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The Irish that came to America, like most immigrants, held fast to thier heritage. Boston for example was a mojor destination for those emigrating from Ireland. There is a very strong irish ifluence in the area. Over time other ethnicities tend to adopt the customs of such a large group (i.e Christmas on pacific islands)
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I read somewhere that 70% of Americans can claim Irish heritage within four or five generations. Myself, it's one. ^_^ I suppose we all have our little things that we hold on to to attach ourselves to our hereditary past - whether it be food, or music, or holidays. I recently related St. Patrick's Day to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in a conversation. Martin Luther King, Jr. is credited with lessening a great deal of the discrimination against Americans of African descent in America... St Patrick is credited with "driving the snakes out of Ireland" - and though, I suppose, that IS one giant discriminatory act (and a HORRIFIC loss to the tomes of history) ... it is a huge part of Irish history, and had a major effect on what the country is today. We Americans of Irish decent may not have ever set foot there, but in a way, St. Patrick HAS contributed to our lives. Why not celebrate him?
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A huge portion of the US population is of Irish heritage, either in whole or in part, especially on the East Coast, particularly in Boston and New York. For much the same reason, St. David's Day (the Welsh equivalent) is also fairly big in the US, though not as widely celebrated.
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It's an excuse to get drunk on a work/school night and have a parade.
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excuse to get drunk .......really thats it, ask anybody and 99% couldnt tell you anything about St. Patrick
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It's an excuse to drink green beer, wear green and insult them in an Irish way.
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Its like Halloween for kids. It gives adults the opportunity to drink green beer. Also America is founded by everyone from various countries. So we should celebrate with those that have an irish descent.
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Irish Americans constitute one of the four largest ancestral groups in America. Plus it means feeling obliged to drink alcohol ;)
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St Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland. All saints have a holiday.
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HE SCARED ALL THE SNAKES OUT OF IRELAND....AIN'T THAT RIGHT????
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He's the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Irish deserve a holiday !
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