Yorkshire Day

Deepthi Reddy
Dec 22, 2023 By Deepthi Reddy
Originally Published on Mar 16, 2022
Fact-checked by Dimple Malhotra
Yorkshire Day is a celebration of the historic English county of Yorkshire in the UK.

Where is Yorkshire Day celebrated?

 Yorkshire Day is celebrated in Yorkshire, England.

Who is Yorkshire Day celebrated by?

This day is celebrated by the people living in Yorkshire.

When did Yorkshire Day first start?

Yorkshire Day first started in 1975 in Beverly, situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The first celebration of this day was in 1985.

Who started Yorkshire Day?

 This day was started by the Yorkshire Ridings Society.

History And Timeline

Yorkshire, being the largest county in England, is known for its rich history, and hence this day is an opportunity to celebrate the county and help to improve the regional economy. In 1912, the oldest flying airplane in Britain was built in Yorkshire.

Yorkshire is even famous for its Yorkshire pudding, created in 1737, and a dog breed named Yorkshire Terrier which was discovered here. The candy bars, KitKat and Yorkie Bar also originated from Yorkshire.

Historically, Yorkshire had been divided into three divisions, North Riding, East Riding, and West Riding, and there was Ainsty of York apart from these ridings. Yorkshire is known for its historic abbeys, Tower Gardens, and St. Sampson's Square.

Yorkshire Day is celebrated on August 1 annually. It was first initiated in York in 1985 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society at the County Hall, Wakefield, in the presence of Mayors, Lord Mayors, their attendants, other dignitaries, and the local authorities of the city.

It is a military holiday that was started for a few deep-rooted reasons, for the emancipation of enslaved people in 1834 and to save the cultural identity of Yorkshire. This day was also known to be celebrated by Light Infantry after the battle of Minden on Minden Day in 1759.

There were protests in 1974 to save the identity of Yorkshire against the Local Government re-organization.

However, later the initiation of Yorkshire Day was in 1975, which was celebrated in Beverly. Until today, Yorkshire hasn't changed its traditions or customs and remained aesthetic in the eyes of the world.

The Romans

In ancient times, the Roman Empire was prominent in the Yorkshire region, and 'Constantine The Great' ruled it until 337 AD. In the fifth Century, Roman rule was ceased in this region.

306 AD

The Vikings

In the late 10th Century, the Danish Vikings changed the name of York to Jorvik, which was the capital of the Danish kingdom.

10th Century

Emancipation Of Enslaved People 

Yorkshire signed an agreement to emancipate the enslaved people under the Slavery Abolition Act in 1834, which Britain passed.

1834

The Yorkshire Day Initiative

The first Yorkshire Day celebration was initiated in Beverly, situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in 1975. This day was started by the Yorkshire Ridings Society.

1975

The First Yorkshire Day

The First Yorkshire Day was celebrated in 1985 in York, and since then the day has been celebrated annually.

August 1, 1985

Traditions And Customs

On August 1, people create awareness about the largest historic English county and follow this region's traditional customs, which was also saved during the county declaration. People visit the city's historical places and conduct Yorkshire Day events that state their history and rich heritage.

The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity is read in the city center, and a Yorkshire Singer performs. The city center also projects the city's history on a big screen at tower gardens and St. Samson's Square for the people of Yorkshire to enjoy.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate Yorkshire Day

Celebrate Yorkshire Day by conducting events like garden games, with deckchairs and picnics.

On this day, people can teach their children about the rich history of Yorkshire.

We can research about its history and culture which is followed until today.

We can create awareness about Yorkshire Day on social media using the hashtag #YorkshireDay.

People can visit the Ilkley Moor, known for its panoramic views.

Facts And Stats

Yorkshire Day is celebrated in conjunction with National Girlfriends Day.

This day is also celebrated with International Mahjong Day, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day, National Minority Donor Awareness Day, and Respect for Parents Day.

People visit the city of Yorkshire and spend some time getting to know the history of this day.

Who invented Yorkshire Day?

Yorkshire Day was initiated by Yorkshire Ridings Society in the presence of Mayors, Lord Mayors, their attendants, dignitaries of the county, and the local government authorities.

What is the significance of Yorkshire Day?

Yorkshire Day celebrates and creates awareness about the largest historic county of Northern England and the culture of Yorkshire.

Why is Yorkshire called God's country?

Yorkshire is famous for its scenic beauty and breathtaking locations in the countryside and Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, and North York Moors National Parks within its borders.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Saturday, August 01, 2020
  • Sunday, August 01, 2021
  • Monday, August 01, 2022
  • Tuesday, August 01, 2023
  • Thursday, August 01, 2024

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Written by Deepthi Reddy

Master of Business Administration

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Deepthi ReddyMaster of Business Administration

With an MBA under her belt, Deepthi has discovered her true calling in content writing. Her writing repertoire is diverse, covering travel, movies, pet care, parenting, animals and birds, and more. Her joy of learning and creating has helped her craft well-written and engaging articles. When she isn't writing, Deepthi enjoys exploring new cultures, trying different foods, and spending quality time with her two children aged 7 and 12.

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Fact-checked by Dimple Malhotra

Bachelor of Management Studies specializing in Finance

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Dimple MalhotraBachelor of Management Studies specializing in Finance

Dimple is a final-year management studies student from Sheila Raheja School of Business Management and Research with a passion for teaching the English language and artistic design. She has earned distinctions in commerce and science modules and is currently pursuing courses in UI/UX design and Social Media Management to advance her career. She is experienced in content editing and proofreading, data monitoring, and search engine optimization.

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