Unlike other countries worldwide that use public holidays to celebrate meaningful events, the UK’s three Bank Holidays lack significance and hold little meaning for most citizens. While Australia has a public holiday celebrating King Charles III’s birthday, and America observes Martin Luther King Day to commemorate equality and freedom, the UK’s calendar lacks similar meaningful celebrations. For instance, Emmeline Pankhurst Day, commemorating women’s emancipation and struggles, goes largely unnoticed, and the Battle of Britain Day, a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, passes by without much recognition. It’s worth noting that the UK might be speaking German today had they lost the Battle of Britain. Similarly, the Battle of Trafalgar, a decisive victory that propelled Great Britain to the status of a global superpower, is marked by a holiday that seems to have been forgotten. Perhaps a Bank Holiday commemorating the victory over the Spanish Armada, an event that could have drastically altered the country’s language and culture, is warranted. Furthermore, the article suggests celebrating national saints like St. Patrick, St. George, St. David, and St. Andrew as individual public holidays in their respective home countries. Additionally, the importance of the health service, emergency services, and mental health awareness could be acknowledged with dedicated bank holidays, raising appreciation for these essential sectors. While the Armed Forces Day falls on a weekend, Armistice Day, a significant day of remembrance, does not always fall on a weekend, raising questions about its potential as a national public holiday. The article encourages readers to participate in a poll, offering multiple options for renaming the three obscure Bank Holidays and suggesting additional events worthy of being celebrated as national public holidays. It also highlights the potential influence of new MPs who might consider introducing legislation to implement these changes based on public opinion.
