May 2 is a public holiday or not?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The long-awaited May holidays have come, and many people have a completely logical question: "What kind of day is May 2?" May 1 is the Day of Spring and Workers, May 9 is the Day of the Great Victory. And what is customary to honor and celebrate on the second day of May? Is May 2 a holiday or not? Let's try to figure it out.

Backstory

And what only in history did not happen on this day, for example, Isadora Duncan married everyone's favorite folk poet Sergei Yesenin in 1922. It was to her that many of his works were dedicated. Or in Paris in 1902, the well-known film by Georges Milies with a science-fiction bias, “Flight to the Moon”, was first released on the screens. Later, this twenty-minute masterpiece will win all possible awards in the field of cinema. And in Russia in 1785, with the light hand of Empress Catherine II, the “Charter to the Nobility” and “Charter to the Cities” were published. These were very important reforms that left their mark on history. But not all of the above are celebrated on this day. So what holiday is May 2nd then?

The Capture of Berlin

Perhaps the solemn date is based on something more global. It was on May 2, 70 years ago, that the Soviet army underunder the command of marshals G. Zhukov and I. Konev, she completely took control of the capital of Nazi Germany, Berlin. At about 3 pm, the German troops voluntarily laid down their arms, the enemy was defeated. More than seventy thousand people were taken prisoner, including very important people. For example, the commander-in-chief of the defense of Berlin, General Weidling, the right hand of Goebbels, Doctor of Historical Sciences Fritsche, who later during interrogation will confirm the fact of the Fuhrer's suicide. Well, and most importantly, it was on May 2, and not on May 9, that the Reichstag was taken. That same photograph, known to everyone from history textbooks, where the citizens of the USSR Yegorov and Kantaria proudly clutching the Banner of Victory, was taken then. But this meant only one thing: victory is extremely close!

And although the importance of this feat is colossal, nevertheless it is not written anywhere that we are celebrating this particular deed. So what is May 2nd? We will investigate further.

Birth of the great

So many famous personalities were born on this day. Well, for example, this is the birthday of Catherine II herself, which was already mentioned in this article. Or, on this day, the Russian philosopher, theorist, critic of literary works V. Rozanov once celebrated his birthday. This day could well be devoted to Jerome K. Jerome, an English writer who, with brilliant grace, was able to expose the vices of modern society in his works, remember only "Three Men in a Boat, not counting the dog." People's Artist of the Russian Federation, a conductor with a long experience of practice, known not only in Russia but also abroad - V. Georgiev -I was also born on May 2nd. And on this day, very media personalities were born: L. Konevsky, an actor and TV presenter in Russia, and D. Beckham, a football player, model, almost an icon for so many of our contemporaries. But all this, you see, is not that. They can't give an official day off because of Beckham's birthday, or at least Catherine the Great.

Then, perhaps, this day is amusing because some extremely famous historical personage died on this date. We continue to search for facts.

Death of the greats

Here the list is just as great and brilliant. What is the name of Leonardo da Vinci worth! This creator and scientist of the Golden Renaissance is known to literally everyone in the world. On this day, I. Aivazovsky, a Russian artist, who was mainly inspired by the sea surface, also died. His dynamic, romantic works, filled with the freshness of the sea breeze, are also known to very many. Maya Plisetskaya is the beauty and pride of Russia, Russian ballet is a phenomenon glorified abroad, and M. Plisetskaya and her school are the standard in this art form. Presidents, actors, military figures, the list is very long. But all this is also not right, because there can’t be a spring and bright holiday on May 2 dedicated to the death of someone, albeit a great one.

Name day May 2

On this day, many people celebrate their name days. True, the names on this day according to the church calendar pop up exclusively for men, but still. May 2 - bright name day of all Antonov, Georgiev, Nikiforov, Feofanov andIvanov. It is necessary to convene guests on this holiday and celebrate this bright date in the circle of the closest people. But again, for an official universal day off, the scope is not enough. This is not the basis of the celebration.

Day of St. Matrona of Moscow

If we are already talking about the Orthodox calendar, then it should be noted that on this day, May 2, the day of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow should be celebrated. The story about this girl is extremely famous and instructive, and most importantly - true.

From birth, the girl Matrona, who was born in Russia, not far from Moscow in 1881, was blind. Parents even wanted to initially abandon their daughter, but still did not. According to legend, this happened because of the holy sign that appeared to the mother of Matrona.

From a very early age, when Matrona could remember herself, she always knew how to heal diseases and willingly helped people. Only now, at the age of eighteen, her legs were taken away, and the girl was no longer able to walk. She is being transported to her relatives in Moscow, and she will spend the rest of her life in the capital.

The story of Saint Matrona is also interesting because she was a fortune teller, and, according to legend, at the very beginning of the Great Patriotic War, I. Stalin himself visited her with questions. But this legend does not carry any confirmation.

Matrona treated mainly with herbal medicines. Many people went to her for treatment. And not only from Moscow and its suburbs, but from all over Russia. That is why, when Matrona herself predicted her death, and it was three days in advance, a lot of people came to say goodbye to her.of people. And today, Saint Matrona of Moscow is one of the most revered and beloved saints in the Christian pantheon.

But again, Christian holidays are very rarely declared days off, because even the Constitution of the Russian Federation states that we live in a secular state. Therefore, the reason for the holiday date is not in this event. Rather, on the contrary, it only complements the main reason. So what is she? Let's get to the main point.

No reason

And there is no reason, the fact is that the second number only reinforces the May Day holiday, All Workers' Day. It's just a day off. When the workers, after the pickets and processions that usually take place on May 1, can relax and be with their families, go about their business and enjoy the wonderful spring weather. There is no high meaning in celebrating May 2. In the Soviet Union, May 1 was introduced as Workers' Solidarity Day, and May 2, as it were, served as an additional day off for working people. Some even interpreted this "anomaly" by the fact that people simply did not have enough time to plant potatoes or just work in the garden. Here is an additional free day for the workers and was presented, do whatever you want on it. May 2 is a public holiday.

Interestingly, in the 90s, they tried to cancel this holiday, considering it inappropriate. But only then they decided that this would cause violent discontent among the population. So they left.

Summing up: is May 2 a public holiday or not?

So here's howinterestingly, on this day in history a lot of interesting things happened, someone was born, someone died, but only now we are celebrating, perhaps, not this, but, as on the first day of May, the greatness and significance of human labor. And it's wonderful that on the second day of warm May, everyone can have a good rest before further achievements. Yes, comrades, May 2 is the holiday of spring and labor!