Initially, St. Patrick's Day was a solemn religious observance in Ireland, featuring church services and feasts in his honor. However, as Irish immigrants spread around the world, particularly to the United States, the holiday transformed into a broader celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

March 17 (UPI) -- Monday's Google Doodle celebrates Ireland's national holiday, St. Patrick's Day. The artwork on the company's home page features traditional symbols of Irish culture such as a fiddle, musical notes and shamrocks.