This Day in History: March 17

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s a brief look back in time on this day, March 17.

In 461, the priest named after this iconic day of Irish celebration, Saint Patrick, dies. It is unknown what led to his death. He is believed to have been the first ordained bishop to bring Christianity to Ireland. According to legend, he was visited in a dream by an individual named Victoricus, who gave him a letter pleading Patrick to return to Ireland. He had been supposedly enslaved in his youth by Irish marauders, where he was taken from his family to an unknown destination. It was during this period where he became devoted, later attaining priesthood following his return to the Irish nation. After 40 years of preaching, feeding, and providing care to the impoverished, St. Patrick dies in his 70s. The day named after him is a proud Irish tradition involving a church service in the morning and a feast in the afternoon.

In 1776, the British evacuation of Boston begins, ushering in the beginning of the American Revolution. This follows an eleven-month siege on the city. At this point, the Patriots were in need of a victory following a costly loss at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The campaign gives General George Washington the first military medal ever awarded from the Continental Congress.