Bank Holiday Act of 1871

Sir John Lubbock’s love of home cricket games led to the passage of the Bank Holiday Act of 1871.

An avid supporter of his local cricket games, Sir John Lubbock, a member of Parliament and a social reformer, decided it was time for people to enjoy some extra time off, courtesy of the British government. In putting forward the Bank Holiday Act of 1871, citizens would now enjoy state-sanctioned holidays. The number of bank holidays varied by nation: England, Wales, and Northern Ireland had four, while Scotland had five. Most all were celebrated on Mondays. For many Victorians, the bank holidays offered opportunities for family get-togethers. Workers saw bank holidays as a welcome break from the daily grind of their labors. The August holiday in particular was very popular. As Lubbock wrote on August 7, 1871, “The day was splendid and the holiday very generally kept. Every seaside place near London, every railway and place of amusement was chock-full.” For many, bank holidays became as eagerly anticipated as other traditional holidays during the year.

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The passage of the Bank Holiday Act led some to call the holidays “St. Lubbock’s Days” for a time, in honor of Sir John Lubbock.

The passage of the Bank Holiday Act led some to call the holidays “St. Lubbock’s Days” for a time, in honor of Sir John Lubbock. Oxfordshire, England. Credit: Heritage Images/Hulton Archive/Heritage Images/Getty Images

People taking advantage of the holidays spent time in the parks, at the beaches, and at the zoo.

People taking advantage of the holidays spent time in the parks, at the beaches, and at the zoo. England. Credit: Science & Society Picture Library/SSPL/SSPL via Getty Images