Joe Biden might hope his annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations will be a chance to drum up support as his presidential reelection campaign kicks off in earnest.

But while he hobnobs with a number of international politicians including Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, the first and deputy first ministers of Northern Ireland, the United States president will face anger from some on both sides of Ireland's border who oppose his response to the Israel-Hamas war.

On Friday, revelers will gather and march in festive parades throughout the country to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This tradition predates the founding of the United States and its longevity speaks to the rootedness and prominence of the country’s Irish American population.

In the summer of 2019, we received renewed inquiries from readers about an unusual interpretation of the legacy of St. Patrick, one that claimed the patron saint of Ireland was responsible for the genocide of an African tribe who were purportedly the original inhabitants of that island. 

With all the loud and crowded parades, green beer, leprechauns, and kelly-colored costumes, it can be easy to forget that St. Patrick’s Day commemorates a real man, and that the feast of St. Patrick — March 17 — marks the day of his death. In order to fully celebrate Patrick — the saint, the man, and the festivities — with food and crafts, it’s important to know a little about him.