Bank Holiday

A Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom and also in the Republic of Ireland. Although there is no legal right to time off on these days, the majority of the population not employed in essential services (e.g. utilities, fire, ambulance, police, health-workers) receive them as holidays; those employed in essential services usually receive extra pay for working on these days. Bank holidays are so called because they are days upon which banks are (or were) shut and therefore (traditionally) no other businesses could operate. Legislation allows certain payments to be deferred to the next working day.

History of Bank Holidays

Prior to 1834, the Bank of England observed about thirty-three saints' days and religious festivals as holidays, but in 1834, this was drastically reduced to just four: Good Friday, 1 May, 1 November, and Christmas Day.

Related Topics:
1834 - Bank of England - Good Friday - 1 May - 1 November - Christmas Day

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In 1871, the first legislation relating to bank holidays was passed when Sir John Lubbock introduced the Bank Holiday Act 1871 which specified the days as in the following table. Scotland was treated separately because of its separate traditions; for instance, New Year or Hogmanay is a more important holiday there.

Related Topics:
1871 - Sir John Lubbock - Scotland - Hogmanay

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Note that Good Friday and Christmas Day were not specified for England, Wales and Ireland because they were already recognized as common-law holidays there.

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In 1903, the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act added 17 March, Saint Patrick's Day, as a bank holiday for Ireland only.

Related Topics:
1903 - 17 March - Saint Patrick's Day

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