May holidays are important for bilingual children

What holidays do bilingual children celebrate in May? Polish Heritage Days, Flag Day, May 1st and May 3rd in England – learn about them all.
There's a lot to celebrate in May!

To help parents of bilingual children, we've prepared a list of all May holidays, including Polish Heritage Day, a holiday initiated by the Polish Embassy.

May 1st - International Workers' Day

International Workers' Day, or International Day of Solidarity among Workers, is a holiday celebrated annually on May 1st to commemorate and recognize the achievements of the working class. In Poland, this day is a public holiday.

On May 1st, we also celebrate the anniversary of Poland's accession to the European Union.

May 5th - Early May Bank Holiday – this year, the bank holiday falls on Monday, May 5th. In the United Kingdom, May Bank Holiday is a moveable holiday.

May 2nd – Flag Day

Flag Day of the Republic of Poland is a public holiday celebrated on May 2nd, focusing on the symbols of Polish statehood, particularly the Polish Flag. It is a relatively new holiday, having been celebrated in Poland only since 2004. Flag Day aims to promote knowledge of Polish identity and national symbols, which have undergone changes over the centuries.

May 2nd is also Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad Day.

May 3rd – Constitution Day of May 3rd is a public holiday celebrated in Poland to commemorate the adoption of the 1791 constitution aimed at improving the political situation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It is a public holiday.

The Constitution of May 3rd was adopted by the Four-Year Sejm, the first modern constitution of its kind in Europe and the second in the world. It changed the country's political system from a parliamentary monarchy to a constitutional one. The liberum veto, considered one of the causes of the country's then-difficult political situation, was abolished. It also established the tripartite division of power known today: legislative, executive, and judicial. The principle of inheritance to the throne was introduced instead of free election, limiting the influence of the nobility and strengthening the position of the royal family. The May 3rd Constitution also improved the plight of the peasants. The law was co-authored by the then-reigning King Stanisław August Poniatowski.

Polish Heritage Days - an annual event for Poles abroad
Polish Heritage Days is an annual event organized and implemented under the patronage of the Polish Embassy in London. The aim of Polish Heritage Days is to celebrate and promote Polish culture, the heritage of past generations, and the Polish contribution to the cultural, economic, and social life of the United Kingdom.

Polish Heritage Days is an initiative aimed at celebrating and promoting Polish culture, the heritage of past generations, and the Polish contribution to the cultural, economic, and social life of the United Kingdom by Poles living in the United Kingdom – on the occasion of Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad Day and Polish Flag Day on May 2nd, as well as Constitution Day on May 3rd – by Poles living in the United Kingdom. It also highlights the positive role played by the thousands-strong Polish community in the United Kingdom.

The official symbol of the initiative is the red and white checkerboard, which was used by Polish pilots fighting in the Battle of Britain and has now, thanks to the promotional activities of the Polish Embassy in London, become a hallmark of Poles in the United Kingdom.

Source: Polish Embassy in London

May 9th – European Union Day. May 9th is the official symbol of the European Union. It was established on the anniversary of Robert Schuman's presentation of the plan to create the European Coal and Steel Community, known as the Schuman Plan, on May 9, 1950.

Check out our virtual "Poznaję Polskę" shelf, where you'll find many helpful materials that will help you playfully explore Polish history and the traditions associated with May Day celebrations. Here, you'll find books that will help your bilingual child learn about the history, geography, and culture of Poland.

Poznaję Historia Polski: Here, you'll find books that will help bilingual children learn about the history of Poland and the complex history of the Polish state. Useful for holidays such as November 11th – National Independence Day, Independence Day, and the adoption of the May 3rd Constitution.

Poznaję Natura i Geografia Polski: Here, you'll find books that will help your bilingual child learn about the nature and geography of Poland. Geography materials recommended for children studying in Polish Saturday schools abroad or at home with their parents.

Discovering Polish Culture: books that will help your bilingual child learn about Polish culture, traditions, and famous Poles. Recommended educational materials for children attending Polish Saturday schools abroad or at home with their parents.