defestival1-5, Exercise 3: 1 May in Germany and Britain

Model answer (check the details):

Germany: 1 May is a fixed-date public holiday in every state. It descends from the international labour movement's 1 May, called for in 1889 by the Second International after the 1886 eight-hour-day actions. The Nazi government took it over in 1933 as a national holiday and then banned independent unions; after 1945 it continued in both German states, as a union day in the West and a state parade day in the East. It is also the day of the Maibaum and other older spring customs.

Britain: the Early May bank holiday falls on the first Monday of May and dates from 1978 (check). A fixed 1 May was not made a holiday, partly because the date was linked to the socialist and communist movements, and partly because British bank holidays are usually Mondays. May Day customs such as maypoles survive locally.

What each shows: Germany's holiday reflects its labour history and the way the state used the date, with older folk customs layered on top. Britain's reflects a preference for long weekends, with labour history less visible in the holiday itself.