Does the U.K. have a national holiday similar to Canada Day or Independence Day?
by 
Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog
ANSWERS: 4
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No, and it sucks! Seriously: each section of the UK has its own patron Saint's day, but St Patrick's day in Northern Ireland is the only one where a national holiday is given (and only in Northern Ireland). there is however a campaign here www.stgeorgesday.com , for a national holiday in England. However, I have to say it's unlikely, as any celebration of anything English is often construed as being inherently racist (something to do with the way the Union Jack and George Cross have been adopted by football hooligans). The Scottish and Welsh celebrate their Saint's days with traditional activities and foods, but there is no national holiday. There are a number of national Bank Holidays spread throughout the year- when most businesses are closed for the day. These are usually on a Monday- one will be the first Monday in May (May Bank Holiday) One at the end of May or start of June (Whitsun) and one at the end of August (Summer Bank Holiday). We also get Boxing Day (day after Christmas) and New Years day- if these fall on weekends, the following Monday will be a public holiday. Hope this helps a bit.
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I would have put this as a comment on Lady F's answer, but I think it may run out of characters that way. I note that the question asks whether UK has a holiday similar to Canada Day or Independence Day. You need to think why Independence Day is celebrated, and from where it comes. Almost without exception it celebrates independence from colonial rule, usually at the hands of the British. It is slightly ironic that Lady F's answer was written on July 4th, American Independence Day, when they celebrate independence from British colonial rule. The same is true for the Indians and the Australians, as well as countless other former colonies. As for celebration of the Saints' Days, national Saints' Days are celebrated in many countries. Other countries have revolution days. I think that it would be great to have a national day that encourages patriotism, and humbly submit that we should have a Union Day, as other days seem to be divisive. Actually any spare holidays would be good as UK has one of the emptiest holiday calendars in the world.
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we got independence by loosing a war with france, this saved us from the normans but was still a loss
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No we only have bank holidays other than the forming of the union that is the only thing anyway similar to independance day or canada day we should but atm dont celabrate it. we have been independant from the romans for a long long time now lol and stable as a rock other than a few mishaps between parliament and a few stupid monarchs we havnt had any revolutions on the scale of the US or former colonies.
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