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In 1871 the government decided to give all workers extra holidays each year. When I say extra it was normal for most workers to only have Christmas Day and Good Friday off and, of course, every Sunday. Paid holidays were almost unheard of in these days. The Act said that all workers were now entitled to four days paid holiday each year. The days given were Easter Monday, Whit Monday (which is the Monday after the seventh Sunday after Easter and so different each year), the first Monday in August and Boxing Day. These holidays remained in force until 1967.
It is said that Boxing Day comes from the boxes poor people held out when trying to collect money from the rich. Talking of that, Christmas trees in the house began after a picture appeared on the front of the London Illustrated News showing Queen Victoria and her family at home at Christmas 1846. The Christmas tree had been around in Germany for some time and Prince Albert brought the idea to Britain. Naturally everyone wanted to copy their Queen. The Christmas cake had until about this time, actually been the January 6th cake as it was eaten on 12th night and, on Christmas Eve, the largest log would be logged into the house and burnt through till 12th night too. This would keep evil away and bring money to the family.
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