Early May Bank Holiday

Monday 1st May is a Bank Holiday (although I am sure you didn’t need reminding!)  But did you know that the origins of this holiday can be traced back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871?

The act was passed as a response to the growing demand for leisure time and to encourage people in the UK to spend their money as a way to stimulate economic activity and boost domestic tourism. The act started with four bank holidays (New Years Day, Good Friday, first Monday in August and Christmas Day), May Spring bank holiday was not added until 1971.

In 1889, May 1st was declared as the International Workers’ Day to commemorate the Haymarket Affair and to call for workers’ rights and better working conditions. Today, May Day is celebrated in many countries around the world as a public holiday and a day of protest and activism for workers’ rights and social justice.

Due to its widely different origins, May Day is celebrated in several distinct ways around the world according to culture and heritage. In some countries, this day is treated as a public holiday, marked by protests, marches, and demonstrations to honor and advocate for workers’ rights. But others—mostly the European nations—still carry on with the spring festival tradition, which includes outdoor festivals, events, and fairs, filled with food and music, as well as maypole dancing and ribbon weaving!

Wishing you all a great Bank Holiday weekend.