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Content

May Day

Date

May 1

History

May Day is an ancient(existent or occurring in time long past, usually in remote ages) spring festival in Great Britain. Is is also observed by many other countries who celebrate May Day as International Worker's Day or Labour Day.

May Day is related to the Celtic festival of Beltane and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night. It marks the end of the unfarmable(not suitable for growing crops) winter in the Northern hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an occasion for popular celebrations of the springtime fertility(the capability of growing abundant crops). The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times. Over time, the celebrations have changed into popular secular(not traditionally religious) celebrations.

Traditional observance

Traditional British May Day customs and celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen and celebrations involving a Maypole. Much of this tradition derive from the Anglo-Saxon customs held during May, along with many Celtic traditions.

In most British cities, people gather to enjoy festivities, folk music, dancing, madrigal(a polyphonic song for about six voices, from 16th century Italy) singing and food. Some cities organise festivals and sport events.