May Day - Wikipedia
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.
May Day | Spring Festival, Maypole | Britannica
May Day, in medieval and modern Europe, holiday (May 1) for the celebration of the return of spring. The observance probably originated in ancient agricultural rituals, and the Greeks and Romans held such festivals.
Beltane - Wikipedia
Bealtaine (anglicised as ' Beltane ') (/ ˈbɛl.teɪn /; Irish pronunciation: [ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠəʲnə], approximately / ˈb (j) ɒltɪnə / B (Y)OL-tin-ə) [5][6] is the Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held on 1 May, or about midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.
May Day ‑ Meaning, Date & Workers Day - HISTORY
May Day is a May 1 celebration with a long and varied history, dating back millennia. Throughout the years, there have been many different events and festivities worldwide, most with the...
A history of Mayday - libcom.org
Oct 13, 2006 · Mayday originated as a pagan festive holy day celebrating the first spring planting. The ancient Celts and Saxons celebrated May 1st as Beltane, which means the day of fire. Bel was the Celtic god of the sun. The Saxons began their …
May Day | History, Meaning, Traditions, & Facts | Britannica
Oct 30, 2024 · May Day, day that commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement. It is observed on May 1 in many countries, where it is the occasion for demonstrations and rallies in support of workers. It was of particular significance in the Soviet Union during the 20th century.
What Is the History and Significance of Mayday? - TheCollector
Apr 30, 2024 · Mayday, or the 1st of May, has a long history associated with Roman and Pagan rituals as well as socialist uprisings and public holidays.
May Day Celebrations - Historic UK
The May Day festivities all but vanished following the English Civil War when Oliver Cromwell and his Puritans took control of the country in 1645. Describing maypole dancing as ‘a heathenish vanity generally abused to superstition and wickedness’, legislation was passed which saw the end of village maypoles throughout the country.
A Brief History of May Day: When Did It Begin? - The Manual
Dec 17, 2019 · While no one talks about August Day or October Day or March Day, May 1st has its own special (albeit not very imaginative) name: May Day. But what is May Day and why do we celebrate it? The...
UK | May Day history and folklore - BBC News
Apr 30, 1998 · May Day history and folklore. Morris men making merry. In medieval times, May Day was often celebrated by young men and women dancing on the village green around a specially-decorated tree...