The Rich History (and Weird Laws) of St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated every year on March 17, is a lively and vibrant holiday cherished by people of Irish descent and enthusiasts worldwide. While it’s often known for wearing green, festive parades, and enjoying a pint of Guinness, there’s more to the holiday than meets the eye. THE HISTORY OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick wasn’t originally Irish; he was born in Britain! At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and brought to Ireland as a slave. After escaping captivity, he returned to his homeland but later chose to return to Ireland as a Christian missionary. One of the most famous legends about St. Patrick is that he used a three- leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish, which is why the shamrock has become a symbol of Ireland. STRANGE ST. PATRICK’S DAY LAWS While St. Patrick’s Day is primarily a day of celebration, some strange laws are associated with the holiday:
A Washington County’s Unique Hunting Ban Bigfoot Is an Endangered Species!?
Most people don’t consider the legality of Bigfoot hunting, but in Washington state, it’s part of the law. In Skamania County, it’s illegal to kill the mythological ape. Should someone murder the creature, they’d face a stiff penalty. Bigfoot — sometimes called Sasquatch — is an elusive ape-like cryptid said to roam the forests of North America. It allegedly has reddish-brown fur, a gorilla- like body, and its namesake big feet. Some claim Bigfoot is the “missing link” between walking apes and our ancestors, who walked on all fours. Most scientists dispute the claim, saying that any ancestor this old likely would’ve adapted or gone extinct. Bigfoot was first spotted in California in 1958, and most sightings since occur in Washington state. Per every 100,000 people, 9.12 sightings are in the Evergreen State. That’s a third more often than its neighbor Oregon, the runner-up at 6.06. If there were a Bigfoot capital of the world, it’d be in Washington. On April 1, 1969, the Skamania County legislature enacted Ordinance 1969-01, the first law prohibiting the killing of Bigfoot. Anyone convicted of murdering the cryptid would be classified as a felon and imprisoned for five years. While modified decades later, it set an important precedent: Bigfoot is a protected species. Tourism picked up shortly after that. Bigfoot mania officially hit the U.S. in the 1970s as directors released films like “Sasquatch, the Legend of Bigfoot.” New Bigfoot enthusiasts started to visit Washington in droves, hoping to be the first to find proof of its existence. While locals appreciated the influx of cash from tourism, they didn’t appreciate the influx of guns from Bigfoot hunters. County legislatures enacted a new ordinance in 1984. It further clarified the regulations on Bigfoot and designated the ape as an endangered species. As such, hunting Bigfoot with the intent to kill is illegal. However, the ordinance softened the penalty for hunting Bigfoot, lowering the penalty for poachers to a year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000. Every law has some logic; no matter how frivolous it may seem, there’s a reason why lawmakers went through the trouble. While this law may seem unnecessary, it protects “Bigfoot” and the Skamania County citizens alike.
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No Snakes Allowed: In New York City, it’s illegal to own a snake, perhaps in honor of St. Patrick’s legendary act of banishing snakes from Ireland. Keep Your Hats Off: As strange as it might sound, dancing with a hat on in Fargo, North Dakota, is illegal! So, for those hoping to get your groove on in your best leprechaun attire, you best do it outside of Fargo.
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• Porch Couches Banned: You’re free to watch the St. Paddy festivities from your porch in Boulder, Colorado, as long as you’re not sitting on a couch. This city has banned sofas on porches since 2002 due to rowdy college students and fire-filled disasters. • Stay Sober (Even at the Bar): Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or not, you can’t get too loose in an Alaskan bar. It is, in fact, illegal to be drunk in a bar in Alaska! St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday steeped in history, folklore, and quirky traditions. Whether you’re Irish or not, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the rich culture of Ireland, enjoy some green festivities, and perhaps learn about a few unusual laws that make this holiday even more fascinating. So, don your green attire and toast the legacy of St. Patrick and the Irish spirit!
You can always reach Kevin directly at 404.566.8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cellphone is 404.409.3160.)
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