IRELAND/WORLD.- Every year, on March 17th we bring out our inner Irish, we dress in green, pinch those who are unwary of the tradition and we drink lots of beer to honor this day, which celebrates St. Patrick, Ireland's Saint Patron.

In spite of its origin, this is a tradition known worldwide, painting a lot of the world's top cities with green. In Mexico City, for example, the governmentlit several national monuments with green such as the Ángel de la Independencia, in honor of this date.

[p]St. Patricks Day began in 1903 as a religious tradition that commemorated the arrival of Christianity to Ireland, having Patrick as the first man to come and preach the Word in Irish floor. Since his death, on March 17th, 461, it was decided that this day will be of celebration. First by religious reasons and afterwards as a way to promote national identity.

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Nonetheless, this day didn't turn into a celebration of international importance until 1996 when the streets of Dublin had their first gran St. Patricks Day parade. From then on, the Irish government began to promote culture with bigger enthusiasm through campaigns that enlarged their image, reinforced Irish identity and invited everyone else to join in.

Ever since, the religious connotation fell into the background, shadowed by fun and icons who reinforced Irish identity, such as the four leaf clover, leprechauns and beer, especially those with roasted malt, much like the stout and porter. Even though on this day, everyone wants (and should) to try green beer, a sample that's prepared with green colorant.

And although stout beer isn't originally from Ireland but from London, the world renown brand of Guinness, has turn the clover frontier into a reference for dark beer. So cheers, and happy St. Patty's Day!

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