St. Patrick's Day

Colégio Ferreira Master

Suzano, 13 de Março de 2013

Every March, Irish, Americans and other people around the world celebrate SAINT PATRICK'S DAY. Do you know why is that such an important celebration? Let's learn a little more about its history...

     Saint Patrick's Day or the Feast of Saint Patrick is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17^th. It is named after Saint Patrick (AD 385–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland.

     Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early seventeenth century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church and Lutheran Church. For Christians, the day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. However, it has gradually become more of a secular celebration of Irishness and Irish culture.

     The day generally involves public parades and festivals, and wearing of green ribbons or shamrocks. Christians also attend church services and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day.

     Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador and Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish around the world; especially in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

     The first Saint Patrick's Festival was held on March 17^th, 1996. In 1997, it became a three-day event, and by 2000 it was a four-day event. By 2006, the festival was five days long; more than 675,000 people attended the 2009 parade. Overall 2009's five-day festival saw close to 1 millio n visitors, who took part in festivities that included concerts, outdoor theatre performances, and fireworks.

     The first Saint Patrick's Festival was held on 17 March 1996. In 1997, it became a three-day event, and by 2000 it was a four-day event. By 2006, the festival was five days long; more than 675,000 people attended the 2009 parade. Overall 2009's five-day festival saw close to 1 million visitors, who took part in festivities that included concerts, outdoor theatre performances, and fireworks.

'CHECKING OUR KNOWLEDGE'

1. As a comment, research and write the meaning in Portuguese of the underlined words. Then, answer the question: IS THERE A SIMILAR CELEBRATION IN BRAZIL? IF YES, WHICH ONE? DESCRIBE IT. (Em um comentário, pesquise e escreva os significados das palavras sublinhadas no texto. Depois responda a pergunta (...) )

2. Now, answer on your notebook the ENGLISH QUIZ that your teacher has given as homework. Don't forget to read the text again and watch the video calmly. (Agora, responda em seu caderno o ENGLISH QUIZ que a professora entregou como lição de casa. Não se esqueça de ler o texto novamente e assistir o vídeo sem pressa.)

Note: don't forget to write your name! (não se esqueça de escrever seu nome no comentário)

HOPE YOU'VE LEARNED SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

SEE YOU NEXT CLASS,

TEACHER FABIANA!