May Day Celebrations

The first day of May is known as "May Day", and is a time to celebrate the coming of Summer. Some of the traditional English celebrations include Morris Dancing, crowning of a May Queen, and of course, dancing around a Maypole! Of course, everyone knows this, but here's a small collection of interesting facts about May Day that you may not have known this morning.

• The Pagan name for May Day is Beltane, which means "Day of fire", which marks the coming of summer and fertility.


• Every year thousands of single men and women dance around a Maypole, holding on to ribbons until they become entwined with their new loves!


• In 1644, Members of Parliament banned all festivities on May Day.


• Unlike Easter and Christmas, May Day is the one festival of the year which has no significant church service. - Not too surprising really, considering it's a Pagan festival!


• In previous centuries people would often take the day of work to celebrate May Day, often without the support of their employer.


• The USA and Canada do not recognise May Day!


• Throughout the world, May Day is recognised as "International Workers Day".