St George’s Day, on 23 April, is England’s national day. George is best known for slaying a dragon, but the real man was a Roman soldier who never set foot in England. Here are 12 facts about St George’s Day.
1It is held on 23 April.
The date is traditionally the day George died, in about the year 303.
2George was a Roman soldier.
George is believed to have been a soldier in the Roman army, probably from a Christian family in what is now Turkey or Palestine, who was executed for refusing to give up his faith.
3He never visited England.
George had no connection with England during his life. His fame spread across Europe through soldiers returning from the Crusades.
4The dragon story came about 900 years after his death.
The tale of George rescuing a princess by slaying a dragon became famous through The Golden Legend, a popular collection of saints’ stories written in the 1200s.
5Edward III made him England’s patron saint.
In 1348, Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, England’s highest order of chivalry, under the patronage of St George. Over the following decades George replaced Edward the Confessor as England’s patron saint.
6His flag is the red cross on white.
The St George’s Cross became England’s flag and forms part of the Union Flag. It is flown widely during football and rugby tournaments.
7It is also Shakespeare’s day.
William Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, and by tradition he was born on the same date in 1564, so the day is also celebrated as Shakespeare Day.
8It is World Book Day around the world.
UNESCO chose 23 April as World Book and Copyright Day in 1995, because Shakespeare and the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes both died around that date. The UK holds its own World Book Day in March.
9Catalonia celebrates with books and roses.
In Catalonia, St George, or Sant Jordi, is the patron saint, and on 23 April people traditionally give each other books and red roses.
10Many countries share him.
George is also the patron saint of countries and places including Portugal, Ethiopia, Catalonia and Malta’s island of Gozo, as well as of soldiers and scouts.
11It is not a bank holiday.
Unlike St Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland and St Andrew’s Day in Scotland, St George’s Day is not a public holiday in England.
12The George Cross was named after him.
The George Cross, the highest civilian award for bravery in the UK, was created by King George VI in 1940. Its medal shows St George slaying the dragon.
FAQs about St George’s Day
When is St George’s Day?
Every year on 23 April. If it falls during Holy Week or the week after Easter, the Church moves the religious celebration to a later date, but the national day stays on 23 April.
Is St George’s Day a bank holiday?
No, it is not a public holiday in England.
Sources and further reading
Explore more: facts about St David’s Day and facts about St Andrew’s Day.
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