And Now, Five Random Facts About St. Patrick's Day

#1.)  St. Patrick Wasn't Irish.  We've said it before and we'll say it again . . . St. Patrick wasn't actually Irish!  He was born in Scotland or Wales, and brought to Ireland as a slave.  Also, his name wasn't Patrick . . . his given name was Maewyn.

#2.)  Until 1970, Irish Bars Closed On St. Patrick's Day.  In 1903, St. Patrick's Day was named a national holiday in Ireland.  Nice tribute . . . but in Ireland, bars have to close on national holidays.  That was overturned in 1970.

#3.)  America Is Far More Irish Than Ireland.  There are more than 35 million Americans with Irish ancestry.  The population of Ireland is 4.2 million.

#4.)  Four Out Of Five Americans Wear Green Today.  And about 20 million, or about one out of 13, go to a bar.

#5.)  It's Really Easy To Dye The Chicago River.  The Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day . . . and it only takes 40 pounds of green vegetable dye to do it.  That green lasts for a few days.