1978: Britain's first Official May Day Bank Holiday

A news report on a wet bank holiday highlights one lady's resentment of the association between May Day and Communism. It also points out that there is a lack of places to spend the day as many tourist attractions remain closed.

In 1889, the International Socialist Congress designated 1 May as a day to honour workers. After World War Two, leaders in the Soviet Union embraced the new holiday and the annual parade in Moscow's Red Square became known for its display of the country's military strength. In Britain the day was introduced as a bank holiday by the Secretary of State for Employment, Michael Foot.

From the BBC Archives. Originally broadcast 1 May 1978