| Language & History |  |
The Shamrock Club of Sacramento
Presidential Irish-American Heritage Month Proclamation. Pages 1-18
Irish-American Heritage Month (March) and St. Patrick's Day (March 17). Although not an official "federal" holiday in the United States, St. Patrick's Day has a long history of being celebrated with parades and general goodwill for all things Irish. The day commemorates St. Patrick, believed to have died on March 17, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Because many Americans celebrate their Irish lineage on St. Patrick's Day, March was picked as Irish-American Heritage Month. The month was first proclaimed in 1991 by Congress. Each year, the U.S. president issues an Irish-American Heritage Month proclamation.
Page #19, 2010
History of Irish Soda Bread: Soda bread dates back to approximately 1840, when bicarbonate of soda was introduced to Ireland. There are several theories as to the significance of the cross in soda bread. Some believe that the cross was placed in the bread to ward off evil (the devil) or to let the fairies out of the bread. However, it is probable that the cross is used to help with the cooking of the bread by allowing air circulation so that the bread rises better. The cross also serves as a guideline for even slices.
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