National Days in the UK are not celebrated to the same extent as National Days in countries like the United States or France.
Each part of the United Kingdom has its own Saint’s Day. Read on to find out more.
Scotland’s national day, St. Andrew’s Day, 30 November
St. Andrew, one of Christ’s twelve apostles, is the patron saint of Scotland. Some of his bones are said to have been brought to St Andrews in Fife during the 4th century.
Since medieval times the x-shaped saltaire cross on which St. Andrew was supposed to have been crucified has been Scotland’s national symbol. Burns’ Night on 25 January, which marks the birthday of Robert Burns the Scottish Poet, is also a major celebration.
Wales’ national day, St. David’s Day, 1 March
St. David (c.520-588) is the patron saint of Wales and was the founder and first abbot-bishop of Menevia, now St. David’s in the county of Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
The day is celebrated by the wearing of leeks or daffodils - traditional emblems of Wales.
England’s national day, St. George’s Day, 23 April
St. George is the patron saint of England. A story that first appeared in the 6th century tells of St. George rescuing a fair maiden by slaying a fearsome fire-breathing dragon.
The saint’s name was shouted as a battle cry by English Knights who fought beneath the red-cross banner of St. George during the Hundred Years War (1338-1453). This is immortalised in Shakespeare’s play Henry V in the lines:
"I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start. The game’s afoot: follow your spirit; and, upon this charge cry "God for Harry! England and Saint George!"
Northern Ireland - official Bank Holiday on St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March
The work of St. Patrick (c.389-c.461) was vital in the spread of Christianity in Ireland.
Born in Britain, he was carried off by pirates, and spent six years in slavery before escaping and training as a missionary. The day is marked by the wearing of shamrocks, the national flower of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
‘Bank’ holidays
Other public holidays in Britain are commonly known as ‘bank’ holidays - so called because these are the days on which banks are legally closed. Most fall on a Monday.
Bank holidays were first introduced by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which designated onlyfour holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five in Scotland.
In England and Wales there are nowsix bank holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day. There are also two national holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
In Scotland there are nine public holidays: New Year’s Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day. Spring and Summer Holidays at the end of May and the beginning of August respectively, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In Northern Ireland there are seven bank holidays: New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Easter Monday, May Day, Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day. There are also two national holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day and an additional public holiday on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (July 12).
A complete list of bank holidays is available from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (new window).
delicious
digg
facebook
