On May 1st, 1561, King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a lily of the valley each year to the ladies of the court. A long-lived pagan custom was to plant an adorned tree on this day to celebrate the return of spring. For the Catholic Church it is the first day of the month of the Virgin.
But by far, all over France, it is the succession of the "Workers’ protest Day" 1889-1947) which officially became Labor Day, la fête du travail, in 1947.
5 comments:
Hello Dear Nancy!
Very interesting post!
Many thanks for sharing all information, I didn't know it!
Léia
Bonne Fête du Muguet! Belated though... I am glad to know about this information, being in Paris we hear of only protest...35 hrs...labor day and so little about 'lily of the valley' and the return of the spring.
Here is French tradition #2 that I was unaware of before this year... added to my "Poisson d'Avril" lesson. Thanks, Nancy...
David
Thanks for visiting my blog. Your blog is wonderful. Lots of interesting information, I just think the "Four Agreements" are marvelous. Pictures are lovely.
I wondered why everything was closed on the first!
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