What is the reason for the late May Bank Holiday?

I make no claims to the content below, it’s freely available on the internet, but the late May Bank Holiday was originally named Whit Monday, a day that was originally on a Sunday (Whitsunday) but Sundays are not known as a holiday day! Whitsunday fell 50 days after Easter Day.

Other interesting facts:

  • Also known as Whit Monday, Pentecost Monday, or the Monday of the Holy Spirit.
  • Whit Sunday was introduced as a public holiday in 1871 to mark the 50th day after Easter.
  • It became a Bank Holiday in 1971 after trials that started in 1965 this was done to fit in with the schooling systems Spring Half Term.
  • Its original purpose was the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, marking the resumption of Ordinary Time.
  • Pentecost is one of the three baptismal seasons, the name Whit Sunday came from the white clothes normally worn by people who were baptised on this day

So now you know, but why not tell us what your plans are for this weekend?