May Day

May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.[1][2] Festivities may also be held the night before, known as May Eve. Traditions often include gathering wildflowers and green branches, 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.[3] Bonfires are also 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,[4] the Welsh festival Calan Mai,[4] and May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has also been associated with the ancient Roman festival Floralia.[5]

Quick facts: May Day, Date... ▼

May Day
Maypole dancing at Bishopstone Church, East Sussex, in England, UK.
Date	1 May

In 1889, 1 May was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day by the Second International, to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago and the struggle for an eight-hour working day.[6] As a result, International Workers' Day is also called "May Day", but the two are otherwise unrelated.