St. Patrick's Day becomes a public holiday - March 17, 1903

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, lived between the years 386-493 AD. For centuries, St. Patrick's Day was considered a religious holiday until 1903, when the Irish government declared it a public holiday. In Ireland, the Bank Holiday Act 1903 made St. Patrick’s Day a government holiday. The act was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament after being introduced by James O’Mara, an Irish member of parliament. The law also stipulated that pubs must be closed on St. Patrick’s Day, as well.

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated all across the world. Pubs in Ireland are now allowed to operate and throw parties to celebrate the day. While some celebrate the day secularly, in parts of Ireland the holiday is observed as a religious occasion. In the United States, the holiday is celebrated by both Irish and non-Irish alike. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by wearing green, attending festivals, and drinking Irish style beer, which is oftentimes dyed green. In Chicago, the celebration is taken to the next level every year with the Chicago River being dyed a bright green color in honor of the holiday.

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