With the first day of May approaching soon, it is important to learn about the many different celebrations and festivities that span across millennia to form May Day. 

The Early May bank holiday, also known as the May Day bank holiday, is held on the first Monday of May every year. It was created in 1978 under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which is still followed today. May Day, which is the 1st day of May, is not a public holiday in England though it does have a long history within the country. Traditionally, a May Queen is crowned on the day to begin the celebrations and dancers circle around a maypole, draped with brightly coloured ribbons. It is believed that May Day stems from the Roman festival of Floralia, which celebrated Flora, their goddess of fertility, flowers, and vegetation. The festival consisted of events like theatrical performances, circus games, and sacrifices to Flora. 

May Day is also synonymous with International Workers’ Day, a public holiday that is celebrated in over 80 countries. It commemorates the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where a dynamite bomb was thrown into a crowd of workers at a peaceful rally in support of the eight-hour workday. International Workers’ Day celebrates the sacrifices that the working class have made to improve society and the conditions that we work in. For example, rights such as having lunch breaks and maternity leave are all the result of selfless contributions made by workers and union leaders. 

Additionally, Early May bank holiday is on Monday 2nd May. We all look forward to bank holidays, whether you spend them revising for upcoming tests or catching up on some well-needed sleep. You may be wondering, why do we have bank holidays? 

It was Sir John Lubbock who first introduced bank holidays. He was an English banker, philanthropist, scientist, and member of parliament. Lubbock introduced the Bank Holidays Act 1871 and the reason why it is called a ‘bank’ holiday is because at first, only banks and financial institutions would close. At the time, four bank holidays were designated for England, Ireland, Wales and five bank holidays were designated for Scotland. Currently in England and Wales, there are eight bank holidays per year: Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May bank holiday, spring bank holiday, summer bank holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. However, in 2022, there will be an extra bank holiday on Friday 3rd June, which will celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.  

The beginning of May is a time for many different festivities. Whether they are celebrating workers, goddesses, or the transition from spring to summer, it is clear that the month has deep connections and significance in our society. After reading about the different celebrations of May Day, how will you spend yours?