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It’s strange to watch the rise and fall of various dates on the calendar: Washington’s birthday (February 22) and Lincoln’s birthday (February 12th) have virtually disappeared as national celebrations, replaced by the brand new commemorations of Martin Luther King Day and the bland, inane, forgettable “Presidents Day.” Meanwhile, Memorial Day (in May) and Veteran’s Day (in November) have become less prominent (despite our appropriate reverence and gratitude for the military) because people regularly confuse the two holidays and their distinctive origins and observances. Labor Day is nothing more than an excuse for a late summer trip (and for politicians to bloviate about the importance of unions) while Valentine’s Day and Halloween are more important, more widely observed (for better or worse) than ever before. In this context, it’s also fascinating to see the continued popularity (and even a notable rise) of St. Patrick’s Day, by far our most important ethnic holiday. The nation features more German-Americans than Irish-Americans, but the unpleasant history of two World Wars killed any chance for some special commemoration where we all drink beer (or Bier) from steins and gorge ourselves on Sauerkraut and Schnitzel. Cinco de Mayo boasts increasing relevance with the rise of the Mexican-American population but will we ever all try to wear sombreros or serapes on that day the way we all try to wear green on March 17th? Columbus Day has dramatically declined as a festival of Italian American Identity (though count on Rudy G. to partially revive it) and Pulaski Day may be a big deal in some Polish-American neighborhoods, but there’s no ethnic festival that gets universal, nationwide recognition like St. Paddy’s Day. Yes, it’s partially a beloved occasion because it’s a great excuse to drink, but its enduring observance also reflects the special position of Irish-Americans in our history and our society. As the one of the very first US “ethnic” groups (along with the Germans), and the only one to arrive in the country (mostly) speaking English, Irish have always enjoyed unprecedented prominence and popularity. Please note that there’s no cherished college football team called “The Fighting Greeks” and the only proudly “ethnic” presidents we’ve ever elected have been Irish (Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton all celebrated their connections – in Clinton’s case very tenuous—with the Auld Sod). Unlike all other ethnic stereotypes, nearly all Irish stereotypes are positive – emphasizing likeability, charm, love of music, dance and story-telling, sentimentality, kindly Catholic spirituality, nostalgia for the Emerald Isle, and defiant nationalism against English oppression. Even the legendary taste for whiskey or Guinness becomes something of a positive – especially on March 17th. On that day, the whole world can participate (and proudly) in the Wearing of the Green. Erin Go Bragh! Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
MOVIE RECOMMENDATION: SPECIAL FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY
THE QUIET MAN (1952): A glowing, incomparably romantic love letter to his homeland from the great John Ford (real name: Sean Aloysius O’Feeny). John Wayne plays an American boxer who retires from the ring (under complicated circumstances) and returns to his ancestral home where he falls in love with the colorful villagers (Arhut Shields, Ward Bond, Jack McGowran and more) and especially with a fiery, spectacularly gorgeous colleen played by the radiant and passionate Maureen O’Hara. Unfortunately, in order to marry her he must deal with her domineering big brother, Victor McGlaglen. Duke Wayne never generated romantic sparks (full-out flames, actually) the way he does with O’Hara and the lush, folk-infused musical score by Victor Young and sumptuous Technicolor scenery make the film a heart-tugging exercise in longing and nostalgia. Yeah, it’s silly and full of “quaint” stereotypes, but the proceedings remain so loving, sentimental and sincere that the movie remains an irresistible gem (especially for March 17th).
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