Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

Next week, on Monday, March 17th, we celebrate our annual St. Patrick’s Irish Holiday. I am proud that I have some Irish ancestry in that my mother was 100 percent Irish.

Let us now take at look at St. Patrick and the history of this highly celebrated holiday. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick on March 17, 461. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for more than 1,000 years. Saint Patrick is known to be the Catholic Patron Saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was born in Britain, and he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped from being a slave in Ireland, but he then later returned to Ireland. He is credited with bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland.

As you know, green is the beautiful color associated with the country of Ireland. Further, Ireland is often referred to as “The Emerald Isle”. This is at least partially based on Ireland’s lush green countryside and expansive green pastureland. Ireland proudly refers to the color green to celebrate Ireland’s beautiful green landscape. Green certainly has become a strong and lasting symbol of Ireland.

Of interest, the very first St. Patrick’s Day parade is reported to have taken place in America.

Historical records show that a St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony located in what is now the city of St. Augustine, Florida. More than two centuries later, in 1848, several New York Irish societies decided to unite their parades to form one official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Today, the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade remains very popular, and it is reported that millions of people watch this parade every year. Many other large USA cities celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these special parades. Every year, these parades attract many tens of thousands of viewers and participants.

Today, people of all backgrounds celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, not only in Ireland, but also throughout the world in many other countries.

These countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many others. Further, very popular St. Patrick’s Day recipes include Irish bread and potatoes, corned beef and cabbage, and other very tasty Irish food dishes.

As we also see every year, many people will be wearing green as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Let me now conclude this brief St. Patrick’s Day review with a few silly clean Irish jokes.

What is Irish and lives in your back yard all summer long? Patty O’Furniture.

A leprechaun told me he joined the local baseball team because they needed a “short” stop.

I wish you all a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and don’t forget to wear some green on this special day.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books.Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.