History of UK Bank Holidays
UK Bank Holidays have an unusual origin; the banks themselves first decided them. Long ago, banks and some government offices would remain closed for only special occasions. These included Christian festivals, saints’ days, and royal celebrations. Banks used to take up to 40 days off a year. But there was no standard schedule. Each town had to choose its own days off, which confuses workers and businesses.
What is a Bank Holiday?
A Bank holiday is a statutory public holiday defined in law. Bank holidays are announced by the Government when offices, schools, and Banks remain closed. These are observed across UK with some regional differences in their observances.
Benefits of Bank Holiday
They are mean to provide a much needed break from the hectic work routine. People participate in their religious and cultural activities and spend quality time with families. they can plan domestic and regional trips and tours.
The 1871 Bank Holidays Act
When the Industrial Revolution arrived, the problem worsened. Factories and banks were closing on different days. Paying wages and running businesses became difficult. A solution came in 1871. Sir John Lubbock, a banker and politician, introduced the UK Bank Holidays Act. It fixed four official holidays across Britain, which include Easter Monday, the First Monday in August, 26th December (Boxing Day), and White Monday(England, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
In this region, Christmas Day and Good Friday were already days of rest and Christian worship and were not included in the Bank Holidays Act.
Different dates were decided for Scotland, which were New Year’s Day, Good Friday, the first Monday in May, the first Monday in August, and Christmas Day. Suddenly, everyone closed on the same days. This made life simpler for banks, factories, and workers alike. People were so thankful for the introduction of new holidays that they were named “St Lubbock’s Days” for a while
Modern Additions to the List
A hundred years after Sir John Lubbock’s Bank Holidays Act of 1871, two new holidays were added to the UK calendar. In 1974, New Year’s Day became a Bank Holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Later, in 1978, the first Monday in May, known as May Day, was also made an official Bank Holiday.
In 1903, Northern Ireland made St Patrick’s Day (17 March) an official Bank Holiday through a special Act of Parliament. Later, in 1926, the Governor of Northern Ireland added 12 July, the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, to the list of Bank Holidays. In Scotland, 2 January was declared an additional Bank Holiday in 1971 under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act
England & Wales
New Year’S Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Early May Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday
Summer Bank Holiday
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Scotland
New Year’s Day
2nd January
Good Friday
Early May Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday
Summer Bank Holiday
St Andrew’s Day
Christmas day
Boxing Day
Nothern Ireland
New Year’s Day
St Patrick’s Day
Good Friday
Early May Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday
Battle of the Boyne
Summer Bank Holiday
Christmas day
Boxing Day