Everybody’s Irish today as we celebrate ST. PATRICKS DAY with green beer, NATIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DAY, and a whole lot of shamrocks and shillelaghs. March 17th marks the death date of Saint Patrick, a Brit, who ended up going back to Ireland, after he had escaped from being kidnapped by Irish marauders when he was 16. After he received a vision from God, he ended up working among the Irish, teaching, preaching, building churches, and giving what he could. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in 1601, right here in the U.S. and we have been celebrating ever since. We have an Irish community here in St. Louis, Dogtown, that closes off the streets, throws a parade and draws around 30 to 40,000 of their closest friends. Cook up that corned beef and cabbage, have a pint of Guinness and celebrate the Luck O’ the Irish.
Religious Holidays
SAINT GERTRUDE OF NIVELLES DAY honors the saint who spent most of her short life caring for the sick, elderly, widows, and orphans. Born in Belgium around 626 AD, she would take over the Abbey of Nivelles from where she did her charitable work. She would fast and hold vigils, both of which took a toll on her health, and she died around 652 AD. It is said that when she passed, a fragrant aroma filled the room. She is considered the patron saint of travelers, gardeners, the recently dead, the mentally ill and cats.
A Tip of the Hat Goes to…
PRESCHOOL TEACHER APRECIATION DAY gives a shout out to those dedicated individuals who are some of the first to mold and shape young minds. They not only teach, but have to counsel, doctor some boo-boos, and keep these energetic little people engaged. Thank you for what you do.
Sneak Peek at Tomorrow’s Events and Celebrations
National Supreme Sacrifice Day
National Quilting Day
Sloppy Joe Day
National Biodiesel Day
Corn Dog Day
Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day
Awkward Moments Day
On this day…
461 – Saint Patrick dies in Ireland
1601 – The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in St. Augustine Florida
1776 – General William Howe had his British Army retreat from the Boston area, never to return, as General Washington had several cannons pointed in their direction. In Massachusetts, they celebrate this as Evacuation Day.
1898 – The first submarine stays submerged off Staten Island for 1 hour and 40 minutes
1910 – Luther Halsey and Charlotte Gulick start the Camp Fire girls
1917 – St. Louis holds the first exclusive women’s bowling tournament
1969 – Golda Meir becomes the first female Prime Minister of Israel
1992 – South African voters repeal the racially discriminating laws that allowed apartheid to exist
2008 – David Paterson (New York) becomes the first African American governor
Happy Birthday to…
Jim Bridger (1804-1881)
He was a mountain man, fur trader and trailblazer
Bobby Jones (1902-1971)
First player to win the grand slam of golf and co-founded the Masters Tournament
Nat King Cole (1919-1965)
Unforgettable jazz musician, singer, and songwriter
Kurt Russell (1951- )
He appeared in Dennis the Menace (1962) at 10 years old and would go on to star in a slew of movies and TV show appearances. The Strongest Man in the World (1975), Escape from New York (1981), Tombstone (1993), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) are just some of his biggies, but I gotta go with Big Trouble in Little China (1986) as my favorite.
Gary Sinise (1955- )
Talented actor – Forrest Gump (1994), Apollo 13 (1995) CSI: NY (2004-2019) – who has helped out our military quite a bit
Rob Lowe (1964- )
An official member of the “brat pack”, you can see him in The Outsiders (1983), St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), The West Wing (1999-2006) and most recently in Dog Gone (2021)
Mia Hamm (1972- )
Soccer player with 2 Olympic gold medals, 2 world cup championships and 158 goals in international competition – more than any other person – man or woman – when she retired
Claressa Shields (1995- )
This boxer duked her way from Flint, Michigan to holding all 4 titles in 2 weight classes simultaneously – the only boxer to do this
Enjoy the day and make it your own
Dear Heavenly Father, may You bless this day. Please guide and protect these beautiful people and strengthen and comfort any who are suffering. I ask this in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
Thank you to National Day Calendar; National Today; History.com; Britannica.com; Wikipedia; on this day.com
#SaintPatricksDay, #CornedBeefandCabbageDay, #StGertrudeDay, #PreschoolTeachersAppreciationDay, #Enjoythedayandmakeityourown
Happy Birthday to Jim Bridger, Bobby Jones, Nat King Cole, Kurt Russell, Gary Sinise, Rob Lowe, Mia Hamm, Claressa Shields
Kev's daily take 
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