March 17th is finally here and I want to wish you a happy St. Patrick's day. Iowans around the state will be decked out in green and bars will be filled with people celebrating. I'll take a Guinness and some Jameson, please. Do you know why we celebrate St. Patrick's day? Most people are familiar with St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland but did you know St. Patrick's day started out as a religious holiday?

According to National Geographic, St. Patrick converted many of Ireland's residents into Christians, and St. Patrick's day is supposedly celebrated on the day he died. Over time, it became more of a celebration of Irish culture.

Did you know Iowa has a huge Irish population? According to Zippia, Iowa is the 12th most Irish state in America. I wanted to put the 12th most Irish state in America to the test. Can you pass this St. Patrick's day quiz?

St Patrick's Day Quiz

The answers will be at the bottom of the page. The answers provided are courtesy of; Useful Trivia, Today, and Parade

1. The first St. Patrick's Day parade did not take place in Ireland. Where did it take place?

2. Dublin, Ireland, hosts a huge festival that lasts for how many days as a celebration of St Patrick's Day?

3. When was the first official St. Patrick's Day celebration in Dublin, Ireland?

4. Green is heavily associated with St. Patrick's Day but that hasn't always been the case. What was the original color associated with St Patrick's day?

5. How many pints of Guinness will be consumed worldwide on St. Patrick's Day? A - 5 million B - 7 Million, C - 10 Million, D - 13 Million

6. Patron of Ireland, St Patrick was born in which country?

7. Two countries in the world have made St. Patrick's Day a public/federal holiday. Ireland and which other country?

8. Which city in South America has the biggest St. Patrick's Day Parade?

9. How many years has Waterloo, Iowa, put on Iowa Irish Fest?

10. What is the symbol for gold in the periodic table?

11. What is the best-selling band to come from Ireland?

12. St. Patrick believed the 3 leaves of a shamrock represent what?

13. What is the average number of drinks consumed per individual on St. Patrick's day? A - 2.2 B - 4.2 C - 5.2 D - 6.2 4.2

14. Which U.S. president was the first Irish Catholic to become president?

15. Ireland is the second-largest European Island. Which island is the largest?

16. How do leprechauns earn their gold?

17. An Irish coffee of coffee and which alcoholic drink?

18. Which waterway in North America did Irish immigrants help build?

19. St Patrick's Day used to be known for being a dry holiday. Pubs in Ireland were closed on this day until which decade?

20. When St. Patrick became a priest, he changed his name to Patricius. What was his original name?

Answers

How many do you think you got right? Here are the questions and provided answers.

1. The first St. Patrick's Day parade did not take place in Ireland. Where did it take place? United States

2. Dublin, Ireland, hosts a huge festival that lasts for how many days as a celebration of St Patrick's Day? Four

3. When was the first official St. Patrick's Day celebration in Dublin, Ireland? 1931

4. Green is heavily associated with St. Patrick's Day but that hasn't always been the case. What was the original color associated with St Patrick's day? Blue

5. How many pints of Guinness will be consumed worldwide on St. Patrick's Day? A - 5 million B - 7 Million, C - 10 Million, D - 13 Million

6. Patron of Ireland, St Patrick was born in which country? Great Britain

7. Two countries in the world have made St. Patrick's Day a public/federal holiday. Ireland and which other country? Montserrat

8. Which city in South America has the biggest St. Patrick's Day Parade? Buenos Aries

9. How many years has Waterloo, Iowa, put on Iowa Irish Fest? 16

10. What is the symbol for gold in the periodic table? Au

11. What is the best-selling band to come from Ireland? U2

12. St. Patrick believed the 3 leaves of a shamrock represent what? The Holy Trinity 

13. What is the average number of drinks consumed per individual on St. Patrick's day? A - 2.2 B - 4.2 C - 5.2 D - 6.2

14. Which U.S. president was the first Irish Catholic to become president? John F. Kennedy

15. Ireland is the second-largest European Island. Which island is the largest? England

16. How do leprechauns earn their gold? Making Shoes

17. An Irish coffee of coffee and which alcoholic drink? Irish Whiskey

18. Which waterway in North America did Irish immigrants help build? The Erie Canal

19. St Patrick's Day used to be known for being a dry holiday. Pubs in Ireland were closed on this day until which decade? 70s

20. When St. Patrick became a priest, he changed his name to Patricius. What was his original name? Maewyn Succat

Happy St. Patrick's Day!