Green Beer Day
Green Beer Day (GBD) is a day-long party, where celebrants drink beer dyed green with artificial coloring or natural processes. The tradition started at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and was first celebrated in 1952.[1] It is celebrated annually on the Thursday before Spring Break,[1] and has been called Miami University's "biggest tradition".[2]
Tradition
Students begin to drink as early as 1 to 5 A.M. on Green Beer Day;[1][3] bars in Oxford open at 5 A.M.[4] Many students embark on their first successful entrepreneurial venture on Green Beer Day, selling iconic green shirts[1] to drink in throughout the day. The long day of drinking entails party hopping all over town, with many parties offering free McDonald's breakfast to prevent over intoxication by sunrise. One of the consequences of drinking green beer is that it will turn the tongues of party goers green.[5] If they arrive at class inebriated, they are asked to leave.[6]
Disassociation
While Miami students recognize Green Beer Day, Miami threatened legal action against the owner of the domain www.greenbeerday.com for using the Miami name without permission.[7] Miami changed its timing of its Spring Break in 2009, allowing students to celebrate both Green Beer Day and St. Patrick's Day; when asked if the change was intended to allow Miami students to celebrate twice, Steve Snyder, the executive assistant to the President of the University, responded, "Miami University has nothing whatsoever to do with Green Beer Day."[8] Miami University has encouraged instructors via email to remove students who arrive inebriated on Green Beer Day, in order to combat the tradition.[3]
Students have criticized the University for refusing to recognize one of its biggest traditions, and the Miami Student editorial board has criticized the University for trying to destroy it as a yearly event.[6][7] Miami alumni have begun to celebrate the event in other cities, with an especially large event occurring annually in Chicago, Illinois.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d Caskey, Liz (February 25, 2010). "Are you smarter than a leprechaun? GBD trivia!". The Miami Student. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Schneider, Brett (February 22, 2010). ""Hunt" embodies Miami spirit". The Miami Student. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b Williams, Ariana (March 1, 2010). "Oxford preparing for "green beer day"". The Oxford Press. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Fleming, David (April 20, 2009). "The hot highs and cold lows of the Frozen Four". ESPN. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
- ^ http://theodysseyonline.com/miami/green-beer-day-guide/97345
- ^ a b Schneider, Brett (February 22, 2010). ""Hunt" embodies Miami spirit". The Miami Student. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Green Beer Day tradition ought to be perpetuated". The Miami Student. April 26, 2005. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Segell, Tom (February 20, 2009). "Painting the town green". The Miami Student. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Bernard, Noëlle (March 3, 2009). "Graduates celebrate Green Beer Day in Chicago". The Miami Student. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
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