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bob.appleyard
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 7404
Location: Manchestar, innit
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject: British national holiday? |
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Recently we have seen Canada day and Independence Day. Do you think that it is necessary for Britain to have a national holiday? If so, what day do you think it should be, and why?
Personally, I'm not too bothered. I would be interested in what others think, though. |
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thundertaker
Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 11390
Location: The right side of the Pennines (Lancashire)
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: British national holiday? |
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bob.appleyard wrote: Recently we have seen Canada day and Independence Day. Do you think that it is necessary for Britain to have a national holiday? If so, what day do you think it should be, and why?
Personally, I'm not too bothered. I would be interested in what others think, though.
May 1st, the anniversary of when the 1707 Act of Union came into force, it would have added significance if we started from next year and the 300th anniversary..
On the other hand, the Ulster Unionists would get all antsy for us ignoring this over the anniversary of the 1801 Act of Union with Ireland.
It's difficult to think really of an anniversary that defines Britain and Britishness to celebrate in the same way the French have Bastille day, or the Americans have Independence day. There was no day that was the defining moment in creating modern Britain. It's all a bit of a jumble, as the British state was evolved, rather than created...... |
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bob.appleyard
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Location: Manchestar, innit
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: British national holiday? |
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thundertaker wrote: It's difficult to think really of an anniversary that defines Britain and Britishness to celebrate in the same way the French have Bastille day, or the Americans have Independence day. There was no day that was the defining moment in creating modern Britain. It's all a bit of a jumble, as the British state was evolved, rather than created......
That's certainly an issue. If I were forced to decide, I'd just pick some day that hasn't been used, some time in summer, so we can have a nice street party. Like VE day. I wouldn't pick May 1st, in spite of the significance, though -- that's the day I reserve for kicking in McDonalds! (joking)
It's noteworthy that, what with the Tories kicking up a stink about "English MPs on English issues" (a ruse to get a majority, in my book) nobody really celebrates St. George's day. More of my friends celebrate St. Patrick's day, which is totally perverse, on the face of it. |
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thundertaker
Joined: 29 Aug 2004
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Location: The right side of the Pennines (Lancashire)
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:15 am Post subject: |
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| Maybe the date of the overthrow of James II, Although that might be regarded as sectarian (but then again, so is bonfire night).. |
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antonio62
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2122
Location: In a forest unknown
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:59 am Post subject: Re: British national holiday? |
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thundertaker wrote: May 1st, the anniversary of when the 1707 Act of Union came into force, it would have added significance if we started from next year and the 300th anniversary..
On the other hand, the Ulster Unionists would get all antsy for us ignoring this over the anniversary of the 1801 Act of Union with Ireland.
Those are the best two that I can think of. There the only two that really simbalise Britain coming together. I don't really think we need one though. |
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Eton
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
Posts: 558
Location: Die Heimat.....I wish.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:04 am Post subject: |
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| I agree, Britain doesn't need a national day. Especially since 'Britain' may not exist in 20 years time when the English National Party (Tories) have dominated for more than one election. |
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AKAMad
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 300
Location: Birmingham
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:23 am Post subject: |
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How about September 15th Battle of Britain day ?
How about any excuse for a day off ? |
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angusrae
Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 967
Location: Falkirk Scotland
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:49 am Post subject: |
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| A significant number of Scots would find May 1st a rather insulting holiday. Just as a rather large minority in Northern Ireland would find celebrating 1808 rather insulting to their own political and national viewpoint. |
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thundertaker
Joined: 29 Aug 2004
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Location: The right side of the Pennines (Lancashire)
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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AKAMad wrote: How about September 15th Battle of Britain day ?
How about any excuse for a day off ?
How is that more signficant than Trafalgar Day October 21st?
As for Scots finding May 1st Union Day rather insulting, I'm pretty sure Scot Nats would find any day celebrating Britishness insulting, so their opinions don't really count....... |
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bob.appleyard
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 7404
Location: Manchestar, innit
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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thundertaker wrote: As for Scots finding May 1st Union Day rather insulting, I'm pretty sure Scot Nats would find any day celebrating Britishness insulting, so their opinions don't really count.......
Which is silly, considering Great Britain was forged by a Scottish king. |
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AKAMad
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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Location: Birmingham
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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thundertaker wrote: AKAMad wrote: How about September 15th Battle of Britain day ?
How about any excuse for a day off ?
How is that more signficant than Trafalgar Day October 21st?
As for Scots finding May 1st Union Day rather insulting, I'm pretty sure Scot Nats would find any day celebrating Britishness insulting, so their opinions don't really count.......
Why not have both ?
I think that the events of 1940 are more significant. Not just because they are recent and so relevant, but because they are so special.
Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz are special because they were things we did.
They are not about killing lots of foreigners, if we had a day off for that we would never get any work done.
It doesn't matter to me that the Luftwaffe was German, 1940 was about us and what kind of people we are. |
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DSwain
Joined: 09 Jun 2006
Posts: 3552
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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I can feel the rush of an incoming BBC One special evening here - The Nation Decides....televoting, Ant & Dec probably hosting....
BUT seriously - should there be an element of public consultation?
My thought would be the nearest Monday to the Monarch's Birthday Celebration in June ie, Trooping the Colour. Before this gets laughed out of court - because I do see the funny side of the proposal - look back at the Jubilee in 2002. In the run-up to that, popular opinion had it that the nation would give a big raspberry to the thing - that the Monarchy was a busted flush and the Queen simply no longer 'pulled the crowds'. We (I was among those who was dubious about the whole thing) were wrong.
There are a few definite pluses:
1) June date - good weather throughout the UK very likely.
2) It's not a 'new' date on the calendar - Trooping the Colour / Monarch's Bday is almost as old as the Union itself.
3) It's not an event connected incontrovertibly with any one of the nations of the UK.
4) No need to divvy up between the many, many dates in British history that would be worthy of such a day of celebration.
5) If/when the UK (or whatever might replace it!) became a republic, the date could become President's Day Parade or some such nonsense.....
In the Netherlands, Queen's Day seems to go very well (maybe Ssushi can fill in the details on that). |
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bob.appleyard
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 7404
Location: Manchestar, innit
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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DSwain wrote: I can feel the rush of an incoming BBC One special evening here - The Nation Decides....televoting, Ant & Dec probably hosting....
BUT seriously - should there be an element of public consultation?
My thought would be the nearest Monday to the Monarch's Birthday Celebration in June ie, Trooping the Colour. Before this gets laughed out of court - because I do see the funny side of the proposal - look back at the Jubilee in 2002. In the run-up to that, popular opinion had it that the nation would give a big raspberry to the thing - that the Monarchy was a busted flush and the Queen simply no longer 'pulled the crowds'. We (I was among those who was dubious about the whole thing) were wrong.
There are a few definite pluses:
1) June date - good weather throughout the UK very likely.
2) It's not a 'new' date on the calendar - Trooping the Colour / Monarch's Bday is almost as old as the Union itself.
3) It's not an event connected incontrovertibly with any one of the nations of the UK.
4) No need to divvy up between the many, many dates in British history that would be worthy of such a day of celebration.
5) If/when the UK (or whatever might replace it!) became a republic, the date could become President's Day Parade or some such nonsense.....
In the Netherlands, Queen's Day seems to go very well (maybe Ssushi can fill in the details on that).
You make a good argument, I would go along with it, primarily because it's in summer, and it doesn't have an overtly "political" overtones. |
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Lucky Luke
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 8662
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: British national holiday? |
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bob.appleyard wrote: Recently we have seen Canada day and Independence Day. Do you think that it is necessary for Britain to have a national holiday? If so, what day do you think it should be, and why?
Personally, I'm not too bothered. I would be interested in what others think, though.
Independence Day, here is an idea.
:-D
:-D |
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Boneman
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 511
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| Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: British national holiday? |
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Lucky Luke wrote: bob.appleyard wrote: Recently we have seen Canada day and Independence Day. Do you think that it is necessary for Britain to have a national holiday? If so, what day do you think it should be, and why?
Personally, I'm not too bothered. I would be interested in what others think, though.
Independence Day, here is an idea.
:-D
:-D
Except without the spaceships and Will Smith. |
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DSwain
Joined: 09 Jun 2006
Posts: 3552
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| Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: British national holiday? |
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Boneman wrote: Lucky Luke wrote: bob.appleyard wrote: Recently we have seen Canada day and Independence Day. Do you think that it is necessary for Britain to have a national holiday? If so, what day do you think it should be, and why?
Personally, I'm not too bothered. I would be interested in what others think, though.
Independence Day, here is an idea.
:-D
:-D
Except without the spaceships and Will Smith.
Is the fat lady singing yet, George?
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Lucky Luke
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 8662
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: British national holiday? |
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DSwain wrote: Boneman wrote: Lucky Luke wrote: bob.appleyard wrote: Recently we have seen Canada day and Independence Day. Do you think that it is necessary for Britain to have a national holiday? If so, what day do you think it should be, and why?
Personally, I'm not too bothered. I would be interested in what others think, though.
Independence Day, here is an idea.
:-D
:-D
Except without the spaceships and Will Smith.
Is the fat lady singing yet, George?
Gorgeous George is a unionist, just like you DSwain.
:-D
:-D |
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