Whit Monday in United Kingdom
Quick Facts
Whit Monday is a Christian observance also known as Pentecost Monday. It is the day after Pentecost, or Whitsunday.Name
Whit MondayAlternative name
Pentecost MondayWhit Monday 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009Whit Monday 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010See list of observations below
Many Christians in the United Kingdom observe Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, on the day after Pentecost, which is also known as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday. This period commemorates the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus Christ's disciples, as told in the Christian Bible.
The dove (image pictured above) often symbolizes the Holy Spirit. ©iStockphoto.com/Christopher Pollack
What do people do?
Many Christians in the United Kingdom observe Whit Monday and Whit Sunday, also known as Pentecost or Pentecost Sunday, by remembering the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus' disciples and the events that followed, which are told in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.
Church events that observe Whit Monday may include evening services and bible group meetings. Whit Monday was once a bank holiday in the United Kingdom but the bank holiday is now allocated to the spring bank holiday on the last Monday of May.
Public life
Whit Monday is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. However, some educational institutions may close on Whit Monday so it is advised to check with these institutions about the days when they are closed.
Background
Whit Monday used to be a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. However, the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, moved this bank holiday to the last Monday in May, following a trial period of this arrangement from 1965 to 1970. Whit Monday follows from Whit Sunday, also known as Whitsunday, Pentecost or Pentecost Sunday, which is a popular time for baptisms among some Christian churches.
The Pentecost period commemorates the Holy Spirit's coming to Jesus' disciples, which is recorded in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Many Christians see this event as the beginning of the Christian church. Past Whit Monday activities that have occurred in the United Kingdom include Whit Monday pilgrimages in areas such as Walsingham.
Symbols
The symbols of the Pentecost period are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.
About Whit Monday in other countries
Read more about Whit Monday.Whit Monday Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | May 26 | 1980 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 8 | 1981 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 31 | 1982 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 23 | 1983 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 11 | 1984 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 27 | 1985 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 19 | 1986 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 8 | 1987 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 23 | 1988 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 15 | 1989 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 4 | 1990 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 20 | 1991 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 8 | 1992 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 31 | 1993 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 23 | 1994 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 5 | 1995 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 27 | 1996 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 19 | 1997 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 1 | 1998 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 24 | 1999 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 12 | 2000 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 4 | 2001 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 20 | 2002 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 9 | 2003 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 31 | 2004 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 16 | 2005 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 5 | 2006 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 28 | 2007 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 12 | 2008 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 1 | 2009 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 24 | 2010 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 13 | 2011 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 28 | 2012 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 20 | 2013 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | Jun 9 | 2014 | Whit Monday | Christian | |
| Mon | May 25 | 2015 | Whit Monday | Christian |
Related holiday
- Pentecost–Sunday, May 31, 2009
Other holidays in June 2009 in United Kingdom
- Trinity Sunday (Sunday, June 7, 2009)
- Corpus Christi (Thursday, June 11, 2009)
- Father's Day (Sunday, June 21, 2009)
- June Solstice (Sunday, June 21, 2009)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
