The Early May Bank Holiday, also known as May Day, is a public holiday in the United Kingdom that is celebrated on the first Monday of May every year. It was officially recognized as a national holiday in the UK in 1978. The day originally stems from the ancient celebration of spring and the coming of summer, which is often marked with colorful carnivals, maypole dancing, and crowning a May Queen.
This holiday marks the end of the winter half of the year in Celtic traditions and is when various customs that celebrate the arrival of the summer season take place. Most of these customs are a celebration of the change in season and weather that is associated with the Early May Bank Holiday. Some of these traditions, like the maypole dance, have been revived in recent years and are again becoming an important part of the celebration for some communities.
Over time, the bank holiday has also become synonymous with workers' rights and is often used as a day of protest for labour unions. Parades and demonstrations are common in many cities throughout the UK on this day. Whether it's enjoying a relaxed day off work, participating in traditional celebrations, or standing up for workers' rights, the Early May Bank Holiday holds a significant place in British culture.