Saint David's Day
Saint David's Day is the feast (celebration) day of Saint David. He is the patron saint of Wales. His feast day falls on the 1st of March each year. The day is celebrated by the people of Wales and people of Welsh background throughout the world. The first day of March was chosen in memory of the death of Saint David. It is believed that he died on that day in 589.[1] The date was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century.
| Saint David's Day | |
|---|---|
 St David | |
| Official name | Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant |
| Observed by | Wales, Welsh people, Welsh diaspora |
| Type | National day in Wales. |
| Date | 1 March |
| Celebrations | Children take part in eisteddfodau. |
| Observances | Parades; wearing Welsh emblems, etc. |
Everyone in the National Assembly for Wales voted to make St. David's Day a public holiday in 2000. A poll conducted for Saint David's Day in 2006 found that 87% of people in Wales wanted it to be a bank holiday, with 65% prepared to sacrifice a different bank holiday to ensure this.[2] A petition in 2007 to make St. David's Day a bank holiday was rejected by the office of the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.[3]
Parades are held in Wales on St. David's Day. The largest parade is held in Cardiff. It is formally attended by either the British Monarch or the Prince of Wales. Parades are a mixture of folklore and military parade.[4] On 1 March 2010, the seventh National St. David's Day Parade took place in Cardiff city centre. Celebrations included concerts, a parade and a food festival featuring all Welsh produce.[5][6]
References
change- ↑ "Catholic Encyclopedia: ''St. David''". Newadvent.org. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- ↑ Guto Thomas (1 March 2006). "Poll backs St David's Day holiday". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
- ↑ Bank-Holiday - epetition reply: Prime Minister rejects petition to make St David's Day holiday Archived 2008-03-10 at the Wayback Machine, 10 Downing Street.
- ↑ St. David's Day Parade Cardiff-Gorymdaith Gwyl Dewi Sant Caerdydd Archived 2017-03-04 at the Wayback Machine – Official Site for the St David's Day Parade in Cardiff, Wales
- ↑ "WalesOnline - News - Wales news - Cardiff's St David's Day celebrations". WalesOnline website. Media Wales Ltd. 12 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "WalesOnline - CardiffOnline - Cardiff news - Sun shines on St David's Day parade". WalesOnline website. Media Wales Ltd. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
