A large mechanical dragon at Saint George's Day celebrations
A large mechanical dragon at Saint George's Day celebrations (© MediaWorldImages/Alamy Stock Photo)
Happy Saint George's Day!
Saint George's Day has arrived, bringing with it legendary tales of bravery and a fearsome dragon. This widely celebrated feast honors Saint George, the soldier-saint and dragon slayer, and is observed on April 23—the date traditionally associated with his martyrdom. Saint George rose to prominence in England during the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War, eventually becoming the nation's patron saint in the Tudor period. However, enthusiasm for his feast day declined after the union of England and Scotland in the 18th century. Recognition of Saint George as England's patron saint and the celebration of his day has resurged since the mid-1990s. This revival builds on efforts that began with the Royal Society of St. George in 1894. Since the early 2010s, these initiatives have gained momentum, leading to festivities that increasingly resemble a national holiday in England.
© MediaWorldImages/Alamy Stock Photo