The last Monday in August is the Summer Bank Holiday in the UK but what is a Bank Holiday? How did they originate? Why do we get extra days off and where do they come from?

Well wonder no more.

Until 1834 the Bank of England observed about 33 different saints’ days and religious holidays, when no banking was supposed to be done. In 1834 this was reduced to May Day, All Saints’ Day (1st November), Good Friday and Christmas Day. 

In 1871 the Bank Holidays Act was passed which specified the days upon which no person was compelled to make any payment or to do anything they would not be compelled to do on Christmas Day or Good Friday. The Bank Holidays under this act were Easter Monday, Whit Monday, The first Monday in August and Boxing Day. Good Friday and Christmas day were not included because they were already recognised as holidays since before records began. St Patricks day was added in Ireland only in 1903. 

In 1965 the government started experimenting with having the 1st of August bank holiday at the end of the month supposed to give us a longer summer. Each year the date was proclaimed by parliament on an ad-hoc basis so sometimes it was actually in September. 

New Year’s day was introduced in England in 1974 and May Day was reinstated in 1978. Whit Monday was replaced by the late May Bank Holiday also in 1978. This made it so much easier for us all because we know exactly when they will be whereas the original dates are derived from the lunar Christian calendar. 

Bank holidays are proclaimed each year by a royal proclamation which is also used to move bank holidays that would otherwise fall on a weekend. Thus ensuring we always get those extra days off. So what will you do with your Day Off today?