May Day
Festival marking the first day of summer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the Northern Hemisphere's Spring equinox and June solstice.[1][2] Festivities may also be held the night before, known as May Eve. Traditions often include gathering wildflowers and green branches ("bringing in the May"),[3] weaving floral garlands, crowning a May Queen (sometimes with a male companion), and setting up a Maypole, May Tree or May Bush, around which people dance and sing.[4] Bonfires are also a major part of the festival in some regions. Regional varieties and related traditions include Walpurgis Night in central and northern Europe,[1] the Gaelic festival Beltane,[5] the Welsh festival Calan Mai,[5] and May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has also been associated with the ancient Roman festival Floralia.[6]
May Day | |
---|---|
Type | Public holiday |
Significance | European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer |
Date | 1 May |
International Workers' Day observed on 1 May is also called "May Day", but the two have different histories.