Absolutely great!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
May Day History
I decided last night as I was laying in bed that today I was going to achieve some new goals for myself. I'm making my own New Year's resolution. For those of you that know me, it's shouldn't be too surprising that I'm doing this five months late. I didn't want to wait till after my anniversary or start on Monday or wait for a holiday, etc.
The first of May was originally celebrated by pagans throughout Europe as the beginning of summer. A maypole was often used to celebrate.
Ribbons were tied at the top; young people would dance around the maypole and as the ribbons intertwined, couples would be formed. Often these couples paired off for the night to celebrate the day of fertility.
I remember dancing around the maypole in our schoolyard when I was a kid...but we didn't know what we were reenacting.
Beltane or Beltain, is the Gaelic May Day festival. It is most commonly held at midnight, April 30, halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh. Rituals vary, but most include the symbolic use of fire.
In 1644 the British Parliament banned the celebration as immoral, but it was largely ignored. In an attempt to assimilate the festivities, the Church canonized Saint Walpurga on May 1st and she became associated with May Day as well, known as Walpurga's Night.
May 1 is a national holiday in more than 80 countries and celebrated unofficially in many other countries as International Workers' Day in commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago where workers first fought for 8 hour work days. The day is full of demonstrations and often features elaborate parades.
Ironically, today is a holiday. In fact, this day might have more holiday traditions than any other day. So, I thought I'd do a little research.
The first of May was originally celebrated by pagans throughout Europe as the beginning of summer. A maypole was often used to celebrate. Ribbons were tied at the top; young people would dance around the maypole and as the ribbons intertwined, couples would be formed. Often these couples paired off for the night to celebrate the day of fertility.
I remember dancing around the maypole in our schoolyard when I was a kid...but we didn't know what we were reenacting.
Beltane or Beltain, is the Gaelic May Day festival. It is most commonly held at midnight, April 30, halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh. Rituals vary, but most include the symbolic use of fire.
In 1644 the British Parliament banned the celebration as immoral, but it was largely ignored. In an attempt to assimilate the festivities, the Church canonized Saint Walpurga on May 1st and she became associated with May Day as well, known as Walpurga's Night.May 1 is a national holiday in more than 80 countries and celebrated unofficially in many other countries as International Workers' Day in commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago where workers first fought for 8 hour work days. The day is full of demonstrations and often features elaborate parades.
President Grover Cleveland feared that commemorating Labor Day on May 1st could lead to more riots, so he moved Labor Day to September 1st. May 1st then became Loyalty Day in the US. It is a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.
Lastly, Hawaii celebrates the day as Lei Day.
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