When is St. Patrick's Day 2014?

When is St. Patrick's Day 2014? Does it fall on a weekday or weekend? Check your Almanac calendar here.

St. Patrick's Day History

St. Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Long before the shamrock became associated with St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), the four-leaf clover was regarded by ancient Celts as a charm against evil spirits.

In the early 1900s, O. H. Benson, an Iowa school superintendent, came up with the idea of using a clover as the emblem for a newly founded agricultural club for children in his area. In 1911, the four-leaf clover was chosen as the emblem for the national club program, later named 4-H.

St. Patrick's Day 2014

* See note below.

*Note: On those years when St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday or during Holy Week, the Almanac keeps it there and treats it as a secular holiday only. Churches may transfer this to another date, however, for the feast day. Or, cities may change their celebration date.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

If you're inclined toward the legend, lore, and festivities of the saint and how the Irish honor him, check out this St. Patrick's Day site [2], where you'll find everything from parades to recipes.

Planning a St. Patrick's Day dinner? Check out our video to see how to make corned beef and cabbage [3]!

On St. Patrick's Day, the warm side of a stone turns up, and the broad-back goose begins to lay.