Tuesday, March 17, 2009

This day in Parallel history


March 17 -- St. Brendan the Navigator's Day


March 17 is a holiday for Irish Americans, celebrating St. Brendan's discovery of America in 525 A.D.


St. Brendan set out in 516 with 14 pilgrims in an curragh made of leather in a search for the Garden of Eden. After an arduous journey filled with terrible and wondrous sights -- including an encounter with a sea monster -- what Brendan found was the next best thing: the South Jersey seashore.


There he founded Sea Isle City and opened an Irish Pub in 529. He brewed his beer with seaweed and algae, which of course made it green.


The followers of St. Brendan to this day drink green beer in his honor.

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