Today's Boxing Day is also St. Stephen's Day. History, meaning

Happy Boxing Day!

Wait, what?

For much of the English-speaking world, the day after Christmas is Boxing Day.

The holiday is not celebrated in the United States, which sounds strange for a country that loves its holidays. But honestly, we really, really love them when they fall on a Friday or Monday.

This year Christmas hit us on Wednesday. The first day of Hanukkah began on the same day, which is rare. And today is also the first day of Kwanzaa.

But what about Boxing Day? Why doesn’t America celebrate this day, what do people do and what is the holiday all about?

What is Boxing Day?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Boxing Day is a day that began in Britain centuries ago.

“During the Victorian era – 1837 to 1901 – the upper class would pack up leftover food, money or goods and give them to their merchants and their servants for reliable year-round service.”

“The custom arose because servants who had to wait for their masters on Christmas Day had the next day off. They received gifts from their masters and went home to visit their families,” says the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

“Some historians trace Boxing Day to the small alms boxes placed near church doors, soliciting donations to help the poor during Advent,” according to National Day Today.

“The day after Christmas, church clergy distributed the donations to needy citizens throughout the community.”

When is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is celebrated every year on the day after Christmas, on December 26th.

This year it is today, Thursday, December 26th.

Which countries celebrate Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is celebrated in Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as other Commonwealth countries affiliated to the British Empire.

Some former British colonies such as the Bahamas, Hong Kong and South Africa have also declared it a public holiday, according to Infoplease.

The day is an official holiday in Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and most of Australia.

How is Boxing Day celebrated?

Boxing Day is a day to relax after all the activities that Christmas brings.

People play games, watch sports, enjoy leftovers, and do some post-Christmas shopping (or returns).

Why doesn’t the USA celebrate Boxing Day?

The US is one of the few English-speaking countries – and former British colonies – that does not celebrate Boxing Day.

When Christmas falls on a weekday, it’s actually just another day and employees head back to work.

Although there is no clear reason why the United States did not adopt Boxing Day as a national holiday, some speculate that it is because America became an independent nation long after Britain established the day as an official holiday in 1871, according to Infoplease.

And don’t forget that the United States established its own special holiday in 1789: Thanksgiving.

Are there Boxing Day events in Florida?

We found a few!

Is Boxing Day the same as St. Stephen’s Day?

While both days are celebrated on December 26, St. Stephen’s Day is a religious holiday also known as the Feast of Saint Stephen.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Stephen was the first Christian martyr known for helping the poor.

If his name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s mentioned in a popular Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslaus”:

“Good King Wenceslaus was paying attention

on the feast of Stephen.

Ever heard of Wren Day?

In Ireland, St. Stephen’s Day is also called Wren Day, according to Britannica.

“An Irish legend says that a wren betrayed St. Stephen when he hid from his attackers by flapping his wings or singing, thus revealing the saint’s whereabouts,” said Britannica.

In the past, a wren would be hunted, killed, and then tied to a pole and carried from door to door by little boys asking for money to bury the wren.

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

Leave a Reply Cancel reply