Bank Holidays | Celebrating the traditional British day off
CHANNEL | BBC 1
FIRST BROADCAST | 01 May 1978
DURATION | 1 minutes 25 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1978
A news report on a wet bank holiday highlights one lady's resentment of the association between May Day and Communism. It also points out that there is a lack of places to spend the day as many tourist attractions remain closed.
In 1889, the International Socialist Congress designated 1 May as a day to honour workers. After World War II, leaders in the Soviet Union embraced the new holiday and the annual parade in Moscow's Red Square became known for its display of the country's military strength. In Britain the day was introduced as a bank holiday by the Secretary of State for Employment, Michael Foot.
A BBC news crew spend the day with holidaymakers around London.
A rainy Easter weekend appears not to have dampened the spirits of the nation.
Festivals of light welcome bank holiday makers.
Fun, frolics and some wacky ways to spend the August bank holiday.
The last bank holiday of the year is greeted with gusto.
Wild celebrations for a weekend New Year's Eve.
From deckchairs to funfairs, a round up of bank holiday activities across the country.
Adventurous travellers venture out on an exotic, passport-free day trip to France.
Girls and boys parade and race at Easter.
The great Easter getaway begins and traffic problems commence.
Just how bad will the bank holiday traffic be 20 years from now - in 1984?
A unique welcome in the valleys for the New Year.
Holidaymakers defy the credit squeeze.
A pun-filled report on a bank holiday weekend in 'the Cockney Costa del Sol'.
How the day went on a warm May bank holiday by the sea.

The new holiday is met with disgruntlement and half-heartedness.
The annual 'Sham Battle' celebrations take place in Northern Ireland.
Remembering the magic and excitement of the Hampton Court fairground.
Notting Hill Carnival: 'it's a get-together thing'.
A colourful children's procession takes place at the carnival.
Shamrocks and Mass feature on this regional bank holiday.
The government plans to abolish the May Day bank holiday.
Nick Ross presents a jam-busters' guide to beating the holiday traffic.
From deckchairs to funfairs, a round-up of bank holiday activities across the country.
Girls and boys parade and race at Easter.
A May Queen is crowned in Devon.
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