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Student Article

Why We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — and Why Everything Turns Green

Originally Published in  HistoryExtra

Discover how a kidnapped teenager became Ireland’s patron saint, why shamrocks matter, and how St. Patrick’s Day parades, food, and color traditions evolved over centuries.

The article "Why We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — and Why Everything Turns Green" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the origins of St. Patrick's Day and how it grew from a religious feast to a global celebration. It traces the life of Saint Patrick, the changing symbolism of green, the rise of parades, and the food traditions that Irish immigrants brought to places like the U.S.
Student Article Info

BBC's HistoryExtra is devoted to both British and world history and aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
6-89-12
Subject:
Social Studies
Topic:
History
Keywords
St. PatrickshamrockIrish historygreen traditionsIrish AmericanSt. Patrick's Day
Photograph of a boy wearing a green hat and shamrock glasses
© Getty

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 900–1000L
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3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1000–1200L
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