St. Patrick's Day: The Patron Saint Who Wasn't Even Irish
Patrick died in Saul on March 17, 461, after four decades of preaching and building churches that transformed Ireland's spiritual landscape. His death sparked a global celebration that began as a religious observance for the Irish, evolved into a parade of unity for persecuted immigrants in New York, and finally became a worldwide tourism campaign launched by the Irish government in 1995.
March 17, 461
1565 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on March 17
Caesar's best general turned against him, and it nearly killed him. Titus Labienus had served under Caesar for eight years in Gaul, knew every one of his tactic…
He was Rome's first emperor born into the purple — literally raised in the palace — and Marcus Aurelius knew it was a mistake. The philosopher-emperor spent his…
Marcus Aurelius succumbed to illness in Vindobona, ending the era of the Five Good Emperors. His death elevated his son, Commodus, to sole power, abruptly halti…
Petronius Maximus seized the Western Roman throne with the Senate’s backing just one day after orchestrating the assassination of Valentinian III. His reign las…
He murdered the emperor, then forced the widow to marry him — all within days. Petronius Maximus bribed enough senators to claim the Western Roman throne in Mar…
Muhammad led his outnumbered forces to a decisive victory against the Quraysh at the Battle of Badr, securing the survival of the nascent Muslim community in Me…
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