GWHS - IB News
March Newsletter
This newsletter is prepared by your IB Student Advisory Board (IBSAB). Feel free to reach out to any of the IBSAB members for any comments, questions or concerns. If you like anything in the newsetter, click the 'heart' button to let us know!!
History of St. Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland who was born in Roman Britain and lived during the 5th century. He was initially kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16 but was later credited with bringing Christianity into Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th, the anniversary of his death as a religious holiday in which Irish families would attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon during Lent. The traditional prohibitions of meat were waived, and the holiday would be celebrated through dances, drinks and a feast of the traditional meal of Irish bacon.
St. Patrick had a legend surrounding his time in Ireland which would lead to its integration of Irish culture. The legend explains the correlation of the Holy Trinity to the three leaves of a shamrock. Following his death and the strong belief of this legend, St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated on March 17th, 1601 in America, just a few towns over in St. Augustine, FL! It was organized by Ricardo Artur, an Irish Vicar from the Spanish Colony that was inhabiting Florida at the time. As a result, Irish patriotism grew, and the holiday became immensely popular over the next 35 years. So, be sure to wear green next Wednesday and remember St. Patrick’s name!
Fun Facts
- The first day of spring is called the vernal equinox
- The term vernal means "spring" in Latin
- The term equinox means "equal night" in Latin
- The fall and spring equinoxes are the only two times when the sun rises east and sets west.
- At the start of spring means that in the North Pole it will begin a time period of six months of uninterrupted daylight.
- At the South Pole the beginning of spring means the start of six months of darkness.
- In Japan the opening of the cherry blossom means the start of spring.
- According to greek myth the return of springs coincides with the return of Persephone.
- Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox
- Pope Gregory XIII who created the Gregorian calendar ( global use now a days) in 1852, if it wasn't created then every 128 years the equinox would have come a full day earlier, making Easter in midwinter.