While all of you the US celebrate Memorial Day, I will be celebrating 'Spring Bank Holiday' along with the rest of the citizens of the UK. There was a bank holiday three weeks ago and one in April too. These special days seem to be randomly scattered around the calendar. I do not understand what the point of a bank holiday is. And asking an actual British person for clarification does not help.
When I asked "What exactly is the bank holiday for?" or "Why are banks and other businesses closed?" Their answer is "I don't know, it's just a bank holiday..."
Thanks. It all makes sense now.
From what I gather, it's just a day off for the sake of having a day off--it's not to commemorate anything in particular.
I have not been in England for a full year, so I don't know for sure, but there doesn't appear to be any national holiday where people wave the Union Jack at a parade or honor veterans or show any sign of unity through acts of patriotism. Kind of a shame, I think.
Happy Memorial Day to you all!