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Original poster

What day would you have for a National Day in the UK?

56 replies

cakeorwine · 14/07/2023 19:53

There's July 4th for the USA
July 14th for France.

A day off, fireworks, parties and something that brings a community together.

We have Bonfire Night - but I suspect that isn't all that unifying.
We have the different countries of the UK - which could also complicate if the wrong day is chosen.

It just seems nice to have a day for the country like some (quite a lot?) of other countries have.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 14/07/2023 19:55

There are the saints day for each country, but we don't really do much for St George's day.

Original poster
cakeorwine · 14/07/2023 19:56

We have our own day in Yorkshire (August 1st) but it's not up there with a day off work , fireworks etc.

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 14/07/2023 19:56

23 June 😂😂😂

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Events & celebrations
Original poster
cakeorwine · 14/07/2023 19:57

YukoandHiro · 14/07/2023 19:56

23 June 😂😂😂

I thought that might come up Grin
That might be divisive....

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 14/07/2023 19:59

21st June?

frozendaisy · 14/07/2023 19:59

Or a day in July because it's hot

Alexandra2001 · 14/07/2023 20:00

What would we celebrate? St George wasn't English and a Mercenary, we never had a revolution.

But its probably the best day to celebrate as a national holiday as its already an established date we all know about.

Original poster
cakeorwine · 14/07/2023 20:02

List of National Days here

I guess we never had to celebrate our independence from another country

National Days around the world | Office Holidays

Maybe Battle of Britain day (Sep 15th)

National Days around the world | Office Holidays

Lists all national days in countries around the world by country or date.

https://www.officeholidays.com/national-days

OP posts:
Oioicaptain · 14/07/2023 20:05

Mid June and I would introduce a national Cake Day! Tea and cakes. I would encourage street tea parties. People could dress up as Mrs Doyle if they wanted!

Karrpt · 14/07/2023 20:09

Yorkshire day 💪🏼

Everyone in the UK can turn to face Yorkshire and do a little bow. Then sit and eat the national dish of Yorkshire puddings and Yorkshire tea before necking a pint of Timmy Taylor's Boltmaker and singing On Ilkley Moor Bah't 'at.

Original poster
cakeorwine · 14/07/2023 20:11

Karrpt · 14/07/2023 20:09

Yorkshire day 💪🏼

Everyone in the UK can turn to face Yorkshire and do a little bow. Then sit and eat the national dish of Yorkshire puddings and Yorkshire tea before necking a pint of Timmy Taylor's Boltmaker and singing On Ilkley Moor Bah't 'at.

I could do that

Yorkshire Anthem - Ilkla Moor Baht 'At

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ilkla-moor-baht-at-ilkley/id672777284 Watch this new twist on a Yorkshire class. It's On Ilkla Moor Baht 'At feat...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8MWb1FlODQ

OP posts:
minisoksmakehardwork · 14/07/2023 20:28

Our nearby town always puts on a full on St George's fair. Stalls, rides, entertainment and a parade. It's fab.

OneMoreCookieMonster · 14/07/2023 20:35

This may be my complete ignorance as a foreigner and immigrant but, shouldn't it be on St George's day?

I think it's ashame there isn't a national holiday to celebrate. As already pointed most nations have one. Even if it's on a contentious day, it would be a time for celebration and reflection.

I'm sorry if I have offended anyone, not my intention.

Original poster
cakeorwine · 14/07/2023 20:38

OneMoreCookieMonster · 14/07/2023 20:35

This may be my complete ignorance as a foreigner and immigrant but, shouldn't it be on St George's day?

I think it's ashame there isn't a national holiday to celebrate. As already pointed most nations have one. Even if it's on a contentious day, it would be a time for celebration and reflection.

I'm sorry if I have offended anyone, not my intention.

Technically that's England.

It's also the day Shakespeare died. And maybe the day he was born.

It could work.

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 14/07/2023 20:42

It depends on whether you're talking about a national day for England or the U.K. The other nations that make up the U.K. all already celebrate their patron saints' days but England doesn't.

RoseAndRose · 14/07/2023 20:43

It's the monarch's official birthday, isn't it?

That's when all the British embassies and high commissions have their shindigs

FrivolousTreeDuck · 14/07/2023 20:45
bbc classics GIF by britbox

We should get a Bank Holiday in Yorkshire for Yorkshire Day!

Shinyandnew1 · 14/07/2023 20:45

Unless it’s a bank holiday, I’m not sure people will care 😂. The last Friday in June sounds like a good one for me!

Allchangename354 · 14/07/2023 20:58

There is a couple of gaps in the bank holidays. Cluster in Spring with Easter and two in May, nothing to end of August then none to Christmas/new year. Much as I’d like another holiday a lot of business is lost so maybe move one of the May ones.

Dont know what date but would be interesting to have a Friday rather than Monday.

OneMoreCookieMonster · 14/07/2023 21:27

@cakeorwine @KnickerlessParsons ahh thank you both that makes total sense. And, yes I can see I was completely ignorant and fairly embarrassed now that it's been pointed out.

I'm just going to quietly exit the thread this way....>

BarbaraofSeville · 14/07/2023 21:37

Allchangename354 · 14/07/2023 20:58

There is a couple of gaps in the bank holidays. Cluster in Spring with Easter and two in May, nothing to end of August then none to Christmas/new year. Much as I’d like another holiday a lot of business is lost so maybe move one of the May ones.

Dont know what date but would be interesting to have a Friday rather than Monday.

Yes, St George's Day is on 23rd April, which is already a congested time of year for BHs, being right between 2 at Easter and 2 in May. We don't need an extra BH then.

My suggestion is the Friday before the clocks go back in October. Sits nicely between August BH and Christmas and it's just before we're plunged into winter and it being dark from 5 pm until March.

People could make a point of going out for walks, picnics etc and making the most of the lighter early evening.

RoseAndRose · 14/07/2023 22:18

If we were going to have another Bank Holiday, I think it should be in the autumn (because that's the longest school term, and a long weekend to break it up a bit would be nice).

But unless we went for Trafalgar Day, there isn't much to go for in the autumn

EnthENd · 14/07/2023 23:09

15th June. Signing of the Magna Carta. In the absence of any day of independence or revolution, it's one of the significant events in British history. but it's currently not really marked which makes it a "blank slate" to create a UK Day out of. The current end-May bank holiday would be moved to a date near the 15th June.

I'd also like a Bank Holiday around either Bonfire Night or Armistice Day. Falls nicely between the August BH and Christmas.

PurplePositivity · 15/07/2023 07:04

The last Monday of every month would suit me.

Failing that as per PPs we need an officially day off for Yorkshire Day.

reluctantbrit · 15/07/2023 07:28

Do it like the Dutch and their King's Day. Official birthday and not just a military thing on a Saturday but they celebrate in a different town each year.

Move the current end of May BH and create another one in October.

You could use the signing of the Bill of Rights but that was in February 1689, not sure we would be happy with a BH when the weather is cold.

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