Shamrocks, corned-beef stew, parades, drinking, pinching and the color green. These are all things associated with celebrations taking place on St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions of people in the United States every year, yet many people either have no idea what it is about or they have some false misconception about what it really means.

Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the non-religious version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food and/or green foods, swilling loads of Irish drink (such as Guinness, Jameson Irish Whiskey or Baileys Irish Cream) and attending parades in honor of the holiday.

What exactly is St. Patrick’s Day and why do we celebrate it?

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and March 17th celebrates his death, not his birth. Although he was never formally canonized by a pope, he is still accepted as Ireland’s patron saint.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Catholics celebrate their patron saint by feasting. They are even released from their restrictions of not eating meat on Fridays during Lent if St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday.

So why do we, in America, celebrate the death of Ireland’s patron saint?

Most of the time it has nothing to do with St. Patrick. We celebrate with clovers, green, Irish food, and even leprechauns, but not St. Patrick.

Another huge reason for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S. is that it’s a good excuse for drinking and partying. Irish bars in the United States do their best business on St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s the same reason we celebrate Mardi Gras-a French holiday, or Cinco De Mayo-a “Mexican holiday” that isn’t even celebrated in Mexico.

St. Patrick’s Day is not even officially recognized as a holiday in the United States. However, it has made the list of Other Widely Celebrated Observances.

It’s right up there with Groundhog Day, Earth Day, oh, and let’s not forget Administrative Assistant’s Day.

St. Patrick really has no significance in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in the United States, so why even associate his name with the day? It is somewhat disrespectful to do so.

For the few who actually celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for what it really is, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

As for the rest of us, let’s stop lying about what we are celebrating.

Some find the day a reason for wearing green and pinching those who are not. Happy Pinching Day!

For others, it is only about eating traditional Irish food. Best wishes toward a happy Corned-beef and Cabbage Day!

As for most of the rest of us, this day means nothing at all. So, have a happy Tuesday.