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FROM CELTS AND Romans in ancient times, to workers and neopagans in the modern era, May Day has meant a lot of different things to different people over the years.
Whether it’s marking the start of summer or celebrating the working class, people have repeatedly been drawn to 1 May as a date of significance.
Test your knowledge of May Day to mark the day that’s in it.
The earliest known May celebrations go all the way back to ancient Rome to honour Flora, the goddess of ________________
Butter
Housing
Vegetables
Flowers
Throughout Europe, 1 May is associated with rural pagan festivals, what ancient celtic festival took place in Ireland around May Day?
Alamy
Samhain
Imbolc
Bealtaine
Lughnasa
A traditional Irish May Day rhyme goes: “Long Life, _____________ and a candle for the May Bush”.
No strife
A pretty wife
A cook’s knife
A trip to Fife
What was placed at doorsteps and windowsills on May Day to bring luck and offer protection from mystical forces?
Holy water
Rosary beads
Old boots
Flowers
In what European country is there a tradition of lighting bonfires to ward off witches?
Alamy
Czech Republic
Estonia
Germany
Slovakia
All of the above
What’s the idea behind Maypole dancing?
Alamy
It wards off evil spirits
It helps ensure fertility
It guides departed souls to the otherworld
What political ideology is May Day associated with?
Socialism
Fascism
Libertarianism
Conservatism
Socialist activists originally chose the day to hold demonstrations across numerous countries in support of _______________
A ban on private enterprise
An eight-hour work day
Free healthcare
A planned economy
Where were large military parades regularly held every 1 May during the Cold War?
Alamy
Red Square, Moscow
Times Square, New York
Trafalgar Square, London
Eyre Square, Galway
Finally, in what year did May Day become a public holiday in Ireland?
1886
1932
1994
2009
You scored out of !
A
Top of the class!
You scored out of !
Lovely result
You scored out of !
C
'I'll take it'
You scored out of !
D
You just about scraped it!
You scored out of !
F
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