Proposition 3-17: Make St Patrick's Day an Official Holiday

March 10, 2008

Guinness's plan to make St Patrick's Day an official US holiday is either a courageous campaign on behalf of Irish Americans, creative marketing, or both. The beer company is pairing everyone's favorite Irish holiday with politics. "Proposition 3-17" would make St Patrick's Day an official US Holiday, just like President's Day, the Fourth of July, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, etc. The movement is aiming for 1 million signatures, before presenting the petition to Congress.

The petition reads: "From the camaraderie in the streets to the joy pulsating in their hearts, people from all nationalities and backgrounds bask in the glory that is Irish."

My large Irish family always celebrates St. Patrick's Day welcoming family visiting from Ireland and all over the US with a big party, tasty food, a talent show, and an hours-long sing-a-long of Irish songs. Many Americans skip work on St Patrick's Day, even if they're clueless about Irish American heritage. Do you think making St Patrick's Day an official holiday would enhance the Irish Spirit, or just be an excuse to drink more Guinness? Are you ready to sign the petition?

22 Comments

poizenisxkandee 5 years 10 weeks

remember remember the 5th of november...lol hell yes crazy holidays. my british friend always celebrates guy fawkes day though. last year we had a bonfire in her backyard. in celebration of the gunpowder plot and all.

poizenisxkandee 5 years 10 weeks

remember remember the 5th of november...lol hell yes crazy holidays.my british friend always celebrates guy fawkes day though. last year we had a bonfire in her backyard. in celebration of the gunpowder plot and all.

wackdoodle 5 years 10 weeks

No, don't make it an official holiday - leave it the goofy day it is where everyone "claims to be" Irish. I happen to be of Irish descent (my grandfather-my mom's dad is Irish) BUT our family is not Catholic Irish - we're Irish ORANGE aka Protestant (although I personally am not). No one in our family celebrates St Patrick's Day in fact we wear Orange for defiance and our Irish ancestors. My grandfather made sure that every child and grandchild and great grandchild knew they were Irish Orange and never wore green on St Patrick's Day. My family celebrates being Irish 24/7 but it's funny because people see brown skin and cannot understand how exactly I can be Irish - ah granddad wasn't black. I can pop over to Northern Ireland and visit my relatives without much fuss - because they know that some of the Smythe's in the US are black and white. Half of Ireland doesn't celebrate this day. Why should all of the US celebrate it? Can we have the Orange Parade in protest of St Patrick's Day too? Up next Cinco De Mayo as a national holiday too. I wish we celebrated Guy Fawkes Day here in the US - can we add that to the list of proposed holidays having nothing to do with US history.

wackdoodle 5 years 10 weeks

No, don't make it an official holiday - leave it the goofy day it is where everyone "claims to be" Irish. I happen to be of Irish descent (my grandfather-my mom's dad is Irish) BUT our family is not Catholic Irish - we're Irish ORANGE aka Protestant (although I personally am not). No one in our family celebrates St Patrick's Day in fact we wear Orange for defiance and our Irish ancestors. My grandfather made sure that every child and grandchild and great grandchild knew they were Irish Orange and never wore green on St Patrick's Day.My family celebrates being Irish 24/7 but it's funny because people see brown skin and cannot understand how exactly I can be Irish - ah granddad wasn't black. I can pop over to Northern Ireland and visit my relatives without much fuss - because they know that some of the Smythe's in the US are black and white. Half of Ireland doesn't celebrate this day. Why should all of the US celebrate it? Can we have the Orange Parade in protest of St Patrick's Day too? Up next Cinco De Mayo as a national holiday too. I wish we celebrated Guy Fawkes Day here in the US - can we add that to the list of proposed holidays having nothing to do with US history.

poizenisxkandee 5 years 10 weeks

haha party on. while we're at it; lets make pi(e) day one too. 3/14. lol.

poizenisxkandee 5 years 10 weeks

haha party on. while we're at it; lets make pi(e) day one too. 3/14. lol.

Jesstagirl 5 years 10 weeks

Really, they should make the 18th the holiday. I need recover time!!

remedios 5 years 10 weeks

Silly. St. Patrick's day means two things. For one group of people, it means a time to party. For another group it is a religious holiday. Neither of those two things are reasons to make it an official govt holiday. It's origin doesn't come from the Irish Americans. It's an Irish holiday. But whatever - I'm Irish and I like the holiday, for the party, celebration. I love Irish music and dancing.

bethany21 5 years 10 weeks

I signed! At least St. Patrick's day is a legitimate celebration (unlike, I don't know, Columbus Day).

raciccarone 5 years 10 weeks

I love when Democracy is about something important!

Stacey Cakes 5 years 10 weeks

It's one of my favorite days of the year! I think most people consider it more of a fun excuse to drink and celebrate their Irish heritage (even if they are just pretending for the day). I think any day that everyone is a little silly and everyone celebrates camaraderie should be encouraged and definitely made into a national holiday! Plus I love Guinness and Irish Car-bombs!

Stacey Cakes 5 years 10 weeks

mymellowman 5 years 10 weeks

;)

mymellowman 5 years 10 weeks

;)

Bookish 5 years 10 weeks

*WITH*. There was supposed to be a "with" in there. Yeesh.

Bookish 5 years 10 weeks

Eh, it would be nice to have a day that Irish-American heritage is celebrated- it's sort of a pity that it has to be associated Guinness, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers.

cine_lover 5 years 10 weeks

3M I hope you are kidding.

cine_lover 5 years 10 weeks

3M I hope you are kidding.

mymellowman 5 years 10 weeks

um, what about in the Constitution where it mentions separation of church and states?

mswender 5 years 10 weeks

I signed the petition, I am Irish and I love Guinness!

kia 5 years 10 weeks

It would be an excuse to drink more Guinness and for that I'll sign ;). In all seriousness I do love cities with large Irish=American populations that go all out for the day. It would be cool if those federal workers could get the day off to celebrate if they don't already.

kia 5 years 10 weeks

It would be an excuse to drink more Guinness and for that I'll sign ;).In all seriousness I do love cities with large Irish=American populations that go all out for the day. It would be cool if those federal workers could get the day off to celebrate if they don't already.

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22 Comments

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