Evolution of St. Patricks Day

St. Patrick's Day was just celebrated on March 17th. Americans now of days celebrate St. Patrick's Day "with parades, good cheer, and perhaps a pint of beer" (Roach). Many Americans do not know Ireland's historic story of St. Patrick's Day. Over the years, St. Patrick's Day evolved from a religious feast in Ireland, to a celebration of beer and green leprechauns in the U.S

The original St. Patrick's Day celebration originated in Ireland. The story goes, Saint Patrick was kidnapped from Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave. Saint Patrick "later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people" (A&E). After St. Patrick's death the Irish culture integrated the " known legend... holy trinity (father, son and holy spirit) and using the leaves of the native Irish clover, the shamrock" (A&E). In the 1970s, "St.Patrick's Day in Ireland was a minor religious holiday. A priest would acknowledge the feast day, and families would celebrate with a big meal, but that's about it" (Roach). After Irish immigrant came to the U.S, they brought the traditions with them. Some people may ask "but how did it evolve into green and leprechauns?"

National Geographic  states that "St. Patrick's Day was basically invented in America by Irish Americans." Americans would wear Green to show commitment to Ireland on the St.Patrick's Day. "In 1962 the show of solidarity took a spectacular turn in Chicago when the city decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green" (Roach). Steve Bailey used green in the river to track pollution and then the tradition of green began on every St. Patrick's Day.

 Leprechauns and beer are also a modern part of the St. Patrick's Day celebration. On St. Patrick's Day "more than 13 million pints" of Guinness is consumed. Irish immigrants brought the beer when they migrated to the U.S and every St. Patrick's Day since, the beer is used to commemorate the Irish tradition. Leprechauns are also used to symbolize modern St. Patrick's Day. Leprechauns are known as little mischievous fairies that hide their pot of gold in rainbows. "Leprechauns were originally depicted wearing red, not green. The idea of wearing green was at 20th century invention, when it became used as a short-hand for everything Irish" (Johnson).

Today, People from all around the world come together and celebrate St. Patrick's Day. In the U.S, people may celebrate by going to the pub and drink Guinness or even show appreciation by wearing green. Some people, not knowing its historic origin still have a good time on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day.





References

Johnson, Bailey. "St. Patrick's Day: History of Leprechauns." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 17 Mar. 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.

Roach, John. "St. Patrick's Day 2012: Facts, Myths, and Traditions." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 16 Mar. 2012. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.

"St. Patrick's Day." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.

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Spain: Influence on Hispanic Countires

When people think of Spain, what do they usually think of? Its capital Barcelona? Maybe the famous soccer team Real Madrid. Well, some people may think like I do and forget a great influence Spain had on the western world. Spain conquered over what is now central America and south America and taught Spanish to the natives. When I think of modern day Spain, I forget that they have the biggest contribution to Latin countries today and even the United States.

Separated by the Atlantic Ocean, Latin America still practices the Spanish culture and has evolved from its influence (Presilla1). All the Latin countries from Mexico all the way down to Argentina, still speak Spanish. As I meet new people with a Latin background, there are differences in the language. My father is Mexican and the words that he uses are different than my friend who is Puerto Rican. Spain Spanish phrases are very different then the Spanish used in the Americas. While searching the web for the differences in wording I found on www.humanities.uci.edu unique terms. For example:







-->

English                                                Spain Spanish                                    Hispanic Spanish

Do you have money?	¿Tienes Pasta?	¿Tienes Dinero?
Party	Movida	Fiesta
Girl/Chick	Tia	Nena/Chica

 The difference of these words are weird to me because the words used in Spain are used differently in the Americas. "The differences between the Spanish of Spain and the Spanish of Latin America are something like the differences between British English and American English" (Erichson1). For example: Pasta is just a dish people eat, movida is to move or dance and tia is aunt. I find it interesting that the word choice are different. It is fascinating that all 19 countries derived from one single European country  and have grown into their own unique culture. It is as if Spain planted seeds across Latin America and watched it grow into its own fruit. As the Latin American Countries starting becoming their own, there is a lot of mixed feeling about their motherland Spain.

While doing further research, I asked a few of my friends about their opinions on Spain.

Emily: " I think Spain is beautiful, it's like the mother of all the Spanish countries and i don't think Spain is better than any of the other speaking Spanish countries because all Hispanic have a uniqueness that defines them."

Nelson: " I never really think about Spain, no one talks about them anymore and I have never met a Spaniard before. I have people from different Hispanic countries and Spain isn't really doing anything."

 Pru: " Spain is nothing now, yeah they're cool but who talks about them anymore? All they did for us was give us the language. Us Hispanics have more pride in our own country then they do. I'm a proud Mexican and have never thought they were better then us."

 I remember meeting this Spaniard guy in my Health class and he boasted Spain. He told me " I am the Real Spanish, I'm from Spain." I was offended by the comment because he was boasting Spain. He previously told me, he does not speak Spanish nor was he born there, so I was confused about the topic. If I am half Hispanic and can speak more then him, then he should not boast.

I have never understood the hierarchy of Spanish cultures but it is as if Spain is the mother duck and the Hispanic countries are her ducklings growing into their own. Spain has had a great impact on many countries and is beautiful in its own way. All Hispanic countries have their own culture and beauty. Spain has been the biggest contributor to Hispanic countries and will forever be its motherland.




References

 ." Slang Terms (Spain). Web. 13 Mar. 2013.

"Spain and Latin America | Worlds of Flavor Spain." Spain and Latin America | Worlds of Flavor Spain. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.

"Varieties of Spanish." About.com Spanish Language. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.


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