By brightleaf
This day has been celebrated for most of recorded time. The Romans celebrated with flowers, farther north Gaelic people jumped over “lucky” fires and Walpurgis night became a major holiday. The springtime customs grew into national holidays with maypole dancing, bunches of lily of the valley, celebrations of love, fertility, and general good health. Today, May Day is celebrated as International Workers Day in communist countries, as Lei Day in Hawaii, as Beltane by Celtic peoples, and with devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Catholics. The charming custom of leaving baskets of flowers on neighbors’ doorsteps has faded, but we still can celebrate the beginning of summer, even at a safe social distance.
From:: May Day.
