St. Patrick’s Day always falls on Mar. 17 to commemorate the life and death of Irish patron St. Patrick. All over the world, individuals hit the bars and celebrate with green clothing and Irish flags.

According to Time Magazine, the Mar. 17 celebration started in the 17th century when Ireland established a Feast Day to remember St. Patrick’s death in the 5th century. The people of Ireland celebrated his life as a prominent protector of the Christian church.

According to History.com, St. Patrick incorporated Irish culture with Christianity and made it widely acceptable to practice Christianity in Ireland. He used bonfires to celebrate Easter and the rising of Jesus.

“He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish.”

Modern day traditions did not start until the 1700’s with the first New York St. Patrick’s Day parade occuring in 1762, Time Magazine reporter Ashley Ross stated. The green color associated with the famous day was not adopted until 1798 with the Irish Rebellion. The British wore red, while the Irish chose to wear green; this color was then cemented into Irish history.

Although the original meaning of St. Patrick’s day may be lost in the modern world, millions still participate. Beaded necklaces, green outfits and floats parade the streets in crowded cities to recognize its religious past.