Bank or Public Holidays

In Britain you can hear different words about the days when most people do not go to work and celebrate different traditions or simply relax.

 These days off are called common law holidays, bank holidays and public holidays.

 Before 1834 about thirty-three saints’2 days and religious festivals were celebrated as holidays, but in 1834 only four were left: 1 May, 1 November, Good Friday3 and Christmas Day.

 The name “bank holidays” first appeared in 1871, which was introduced by a politician Sir John Lubbock.

 Banks were closed, all people had a day off.

 Bank holidays are holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day.

 Public holidays are holidays, which have been celebrated for many years through custom and tradition.

 If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is usually celebrated on the next working weekday, called “a substitute public holiday”.

 Extra bank holidays are created by Royal proclamation.