May Day

May 1st, also known as May Day in many countries, is a public holiday practiced by various countries throughout the world. It is seen as a day to welcome spring, host political protests, hold feasts and bon fires to banish away the cold weather and to celebrate international workers.

                                                                     USA
The United States if one of the few countries where the celebration of May Day various depending on the region. May 1st is Law Day in the USA. I was created to honor the roles of Laws and how they are the foundation to the country. However, some Americans also celebrate the less common exchange of filling small baskets with flowers and leaving them on a neighbors doorstep.

                                                                   England
In England, many villages and towns celebrate the day by crowning a may queen, listening to choirs, throwing parties and dancing around a Maypole with ribbons. This is in celebration of the fertility of the plants that spring brings.

                                                                   Finland
Finland students and alumni are traditionally the ones to celebrate May Day. However, in this country the celebration actually beings on April 30 and continues until the end of May 1st. Most students wear a white cap, gather in a park and drink large amounts of sima and various alcoholic beverages.

                                                                  Germany
In Germany, it was believed that the night between April 30 and May 1st was the night in which witches would hold large celebrations to honor the coming of spring. Some towns will still host fires in order to "keep away the witches", well many have now taken to holding fires as an Easter celebration instead.