Everybody in the U.S. is Irish for a day on St. Patrick's Day — But why?

St. Patrick's Day partiers stated drinking early Friday morning at the Irish Tavern in Madison Heights.
St. Patrick's Day partiers stated drinking early Friday morning at the Irish Tavern in Madison Heights. Photo credit Charlie Langton/WWJ

(WWJ) Celebrated for centuries, starting out as a religious holiday in Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has become a full-blown green-wearing, beer-guzzling party day in the United States.

How did that happen? And why is this holiday so popular in Metro Detroit and across America, no matter the heritage?

WWJ's Zach Clark uncovers the answers to those questions in this "Best Of" episode of The Daily J podcast.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Charlie Langton/WWJ