St David's Day 1st March

Who was St. David, and why is he so important to the Welsh? How is St. David's Day celebrated?
Well, Saint David, or Dewi Sant, as he is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales. He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain.
Dewi was born near Capel Non (Non's chapel) on the South-West Wales coast near the present city of Saint David. It is claimed that Dewi lived for over 100 years, and it is generally accepted that he died on 1^st March 589. Dewi's body was buried in the grounds of his own monastery, where the Cathedral of St. David (Pembrokeshire) now stands. After his death, his influence spread far and wide - first through Britain, along what was left of the Roman roads, and by sea to Cornwall and Brittany.
St David's Day, as celebrated today, dates back to 1120, when Dewi was canonised by Pope Callactus the Second, and March 1st was included in the Church calendar, with many pilgrimages being made to St. David's. March 1st was celebrated until the Reformation as a holy day with many churches being dedicated to Dewi, and some to his mother Non. St. David was then, and still is, a very important figure to the Welsh.
St. David's Day is a time of great celebration in Wales. Societies all over Wales celebrate with special meetings and events, such as religious services held in schools and churches, a male voice choir concert held in St. David's Hall, Cardiff and people dressing in the Welsh costume, or wearing a leek or a daffodil, famous emblems of Wales. Many Welsh male voice choirs fly all over the world, to entertain and celebrate with Welsh communities overseas. Typical celebrations include Welsh dancing, folk songs and reciting of Welsh poems. A bowl of cawl - leek broth is the traditional St. David's Day meal.