US EditionWhy does the UK have 2 bank holidays in May? The history behind them
- The United Kingdom observes two bank holidays in May: the early May bank holiday on May 6 and the spring bank holiday on May 26, 2025.
- The spring bank holiday was initially observed on Whit Monday, the day following Pentecost Sunday, until a legislative change in 1971 moved it to the final Monday in May.
- Pentecost Sunday, celebrated seven weeks after Easter and set according to the lunar calendar, honors the event when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, signifying the founding moment of the Christian Church.
- Historian Professor Julie-Marie Strange explained that the early May bank holiday in Britain has its roots in long-standing seasonal traditions linked to farming and the agricultural calendar.
- The existence of two distinct May holidays reflects both religious tradition and agricultural history, suggesting the UK’s bank holidays balance cultural and economic significance.
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