Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2020 April 30

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April 30

May 8 in the UK

As everyone knows, May 1 is a public holiday in Finland as Vappu/May Day falls on that date. I asked a British co-worker if May 1 is a public holiday in the UK too, and she replied that it's not, but May 8 is. Which holiday? And is it on May 8 every year or does it shift so it's always on a Friday? JIP | Talk 22:42, 30 April 2020 (UTC)

Usually the first Monday in May is the Early May Bank Holiday, this year it has been moved to the 8th to commemorate VE Day. Announcement. DuncanHill (talk) 22:48, 30 April 2020 (UTC)

Thanks! JIP | Talk 22:51, 30 April 2020 (UTC)

VE Day = Victory in Europe Day, commemorating the surrender by Nazi Germany ending WWII. Few countries celebrate that event on 8 May; those that were occupied mostly hold celebrations on their country's actual liberation date.  --Lambiam 12:08, 1 May 2020 (UTC)

Not usually celebrated in the UK, but it's the 75th anniversary and there won't be many veterans alive by the time we get to 80. Here is the website (now mostly cancelled or postponed). Alansplodge (talk) 18:30, 1 May 2020 (UTC)

The last official major celebration, if I remember correctly, was for the 50th anniversary in 1995. An important part of the celebrations was the lighting of commemorative beacons across the country. There was a whole chain of them along the South Downs, and at least in my part of Sussex local Scout troops were invited to set up camp for a few days and "guard"/look after them. Our troop looked after Ditchling Beacon. I think there were street parties and similar events as well. Hassocks5489 (Floreat Hova!) 11:25, 2 May 2020 (UTC)