In England many different holidays celebrated throughout the year: the state, the so-called legal holidays, religious and traditional, important events of national history and festivals.The best way to touch the British tradition - is to get to one of them.Some holidays have roots in the distant past, the other - a relatively new and modern.
main holiday in the UK celebrated everywhere - it's Christmas, New Year and Easter.Easter in 2013 will be celebrated on March 31.
public holidays in England called the «Bank holidays» (Bank Holidays), in a literal translation - "bank holidays" that, in fact, means in general rest days are not working, banks and other state organizations.
designation «Bank holidays» was introduced in the nineteenth century banker, politician Sir John Lubbock, who thought that we should distinguish two types of holidays.In 1871 the law on the days off has been said about the four official holidays: Easter Monday, May Day, the last Monday in August, and Boxing Day.
Today the term is used for many public holidays that are, nevertheless, is not officially recognized as «Bank holidays».
eight public holidays in Britain: New Year (January 1), Good Friday (2013 March 23), Easter Monday (2013 April 1), the first of May, the Spring day (27 May 2013)Summer weekend (26 August 2013), Christmas (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).
Popular traditional British holidays
New Year - perhaps the only truly global celebration.In London, arranged a grand parade, which involved more than 10 000 performers - dancers, musicians, acrobats, cheerleading team.
January 5 - Twelfth Night - the eve of the Epiphany, the twelfth and final night of the Christmas season, the twelfth day - Baptism itself.
English holidays in February:
celebrate February 2 Candlemas.
Valentine's Day (February 14), a popular traditional event and the Christian holiday that is associated with romance and love.People express their love for each other by sending cards, called "valentines", with images on them symbols (hearts, red and pink roses, figurines cupids), give flowers, candy and small gifts.
Shrove Tuesday - the eve of the Christian Carnival Ash Wednesday, before the start of Lent.
March:
March - International (or historic) Women's Month, dedicated to women in the history and today's society, highlighting their achievements in many spheres of life.Every year is determined by the topic of the month: in 2013, it is associated with literature, painting, alternative art.It is celebrated throughout March, including March 8 - International Women's Day.
second Monday in March - Day of the Commonwealth.The annual celebration of the Commonwealth (British Commonwealth) with the indispensable participation of Elizabeth II, who is head of the Commonwealth.
fourth Sunday of Lent - Mothering Sunday.For many centuries, it is considered very important for people in this day be reunited as a family in the paternal home, or at least come to the "mother" church (the main church or cathedral in the area where they were born).
April:
April 1 - April Fool's Day.
April 21 - Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
May:
May 1 - May Day, which includes a variety of celebrations, dancing around the Maypole, People's theatrical dance "Morris", the choice of the Queen's holiday.
May 29 - Day of ink nuts.This is a special day and it is still celebrated in many villages.At one time - a national holiday, marking the restoration of the English monarchy in May 1660.
British Holidays in June:
June 2 - Coronation of Elizabeth II.
June 24 - Day of the summer solstice.The holiday is celebrated in England from the XIII century to the fueling fires, feasts, fun.In recent years, special celebrations are held at Stonehenge.
July:
July 15 - Feast of St. Swithun.Swithun was Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Winchester, then rector of Winchester Cathedral.By tradition, his holiday lasts for forty days.In England, associated with it, some believe.It is said that when the day of St. Swithun the rain, then for forty days he did not stop.
August:
August 1 - Day of Yorkshire.
28-29 August - Notting Hillsky carnival.
British Holidays in September:
Illyumineyshns - autumn festival of lights in several English resort towns and villages, among them: Matlock Bath, Mauskhoul, Walsall, Blackpool.Founded in Blackpool in 1979, it is held from late August to early November (when the season ends in other British seaside resorts) and is positioned as the greatest light show on Earth.
October:
October 21 - Day of Apple.More recently it noted as a rule, on Saturday and Sunday, the next 21 to October.The first event was organized in 1990, a charitable organization «Common Ground» Covent Garden.Since 2000, hundreds of events across the country organized by restaurants, museums, gardens communities cider producers.
October 31 - Halloween.
November:
November 5th - Guy Fawkes Night.
November 11 - Remembrance Day.
English holidays in December:
ceremony of lighting the lights of the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
December 25 - Christmas.
December 26 - Boxing Day.
