Millions of 2020 calendars and diaries have been printed with the incorrect bank holiday date for May which could leave people booking their holidays wrong in what is known to be the busiest time of the year for travel bookings.
The government issued an announcement on 7th June to advise that the May Day bank holiday which should have taken place on the first Monday of May, 4th, has now been moved to Friday 8th May for 2020.
A large number of 2020 calendars and diaries had already been printed by June and were still released.
The change of date is to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which falls on Friday 8th May.
VE Day stands for ‘Victory in Europe Day’ and marks the day towards the end of World War Two when Winston Churchill announced that the war in Europe was over.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said, “Moving next year’s early May bank holiday to VE Day itself is a right and fitting tribute.
“It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation.”
This is only the second time ever that the early May bank holiday has been moved, with the first time being in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.
