Boxing Day got its name when Queen Victoria was on the throne in the 1800s and has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. Even though history provides multiple theories behind its true origination, let's find out more about the conjecture through this article. The History of Boxing Day, Because Most People Don't Know What It Is Samantha Lawyer 11/21/2020. By the 21st century it had become a day associated with shopping and sporting events. Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, and it has absolutely nothing to do with your empty gift boxes. During the Age of Exploration, when great sailing ships were setting off to discover new land, A Christmas Box was used as a good luck device. Boxing Day always brings with it a sweet opportunity to derive joy from sharing and pleasing people who are less privileged. Boxing Day History. Boxing Day, a holiday primarily celebrated in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, has a somewhat muddled origin story.The term itself can be traced back to 1833, a couple years before British author Charles Dickens famously referred to it in his novel The Pickwick Papers.. For those living down under, the day after Christmas is all about the sport. Boxing Day is primarily a British tradition, and the UK has exported it to Australia, Canada and New Zealand (in each of which it has become primarily a shopping and sporting day). Some eight hundred years ago in the UK, Boxing Day was the day when gifts were given to the service classes. It's origins are obscure, but they date back centuries. Boxing Day, as it is referred to, has a long history as the “unofficial holiday for shopping” and recent events could see it become a staple in America as well. Boxing Day is a holiday that serves to remember the old practice of giving boxes on the day after Christmas.The practice of Boxing Day was first mentioned in English Member of Parliament Samuel Pepys’ diary entry from December 19th 1663, when he referred to “giving something to the boy' box against Christmas”. Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated widely throughout British Commonwealth nations, and filled with history and traditions. Throughout the 19th century, boxing has risen immensely in popularity, giving birth to a myriad of sports heroes and legends that have captivated imaginations from all over the world. It’s the day after Christmas, and whilst not quite as special, or as widely celebrated as Christmas Day itself, Boxing Day still has some unique facts and history that surrounds this day. The hunting of wren birds was considered unlucky on any day except Boxing Day. History of Boxing Day - Boxing Day origins. Boxing Day in Australia. In England it is Boxing Day. US intel agencies sharply cut surveillance during pandemic. Boxing Day, in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, holiday (December 26) on which servants, tradespeople, and the poor traditionally were presented with gifts. People can only be cooped up for so long! Today, the holiday is associated with sports, with major football, rugby, and cricket matches and horseraces taking place on December 26. If the Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the following Monday is celebrated as Boxing Day. St. Wenceslaus, Prague Boxing Day. History of Boxing Day: What is Boxing Day? It’s a holiday with presents that have already been opened and a dinner that has been eaten. Here are a few of the possible origins of the day: One possible origin is from metal boxes that were placed outside of churches during the Middle Ages.These boxes were for offerings to give to the poor on the Feast of St. Stephen, which is also celebrated on the 26th. Boxing Day is widely celebrated in countries that are part of the British Commonwealth. Boxing Day traditionally lands on 26 th December each year.. It’s a day for giving, especially to the less fortunate. The name comes from a … In England, traditional Boxing Day fox hunts, which have been conducted for hundreds of years, were threatened in 2005 by Parliament's ban on using dogs to kill prey. It used to be a... Kickoff!. Some eight hundred years ago in the UK Boxing Day was the day when gifts were given to the lower classes. With Premier League being the … It’s a holiday best spent lounging around in brightly colored sweaters, wondering, lazily and lethargically, what to do next. Boxing Day. In the 18th century, Boxing Day became a day for aristocratic sports – hunting, horseracing, shooting. FEAST OF ST.STEPHEN Historically known as the “Feast of St. Stephen,” Boxing Day falls on the 26th of December, the day after Christmas. Learn about the history and traditions, which started in England. Here's what you need to know about the holiday. History of Boxing Day No one is quite sure where Boxing Day got its start. Falling on the 26th of December, this secular holiday is on the same day as the religious day of St Stephen’s and Boxing day itself originated around eight hundred years ago. Boxing Day has evolved from a charitable day to an extended Christmas afternoon. On the Isle of Man, it is Laa'l Steaoin (Stephen’s Feast Day). 5 Facts About Boxing Day One of nine public holidays in Ireland.. Boxing Day is popularly known as ‘Saint Stephen's Day’ or ‘Feast of Saint... To Kill a Wren Bird.. Boxing Day’s origin. The Boxing Day tsunami would be the deadliest in recorded history, ... HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. The rich history of boxing leads to the modern day, to the sport we have all grown incredibly familiar with. Although the dogs' role has been limited to chasing only, thousands of people continue to participate in the Boxing Day hunt. The History of Boxing Day .Relatively unknown in the U.S., Boxing Day is a bank holiday in the U.K. and countries throughout the British Commonwealth, including Canada and Australia.The day has evolved into one popularly devoted to post-Christmas shopping, but its origins remain a bit blurry.The term Boxing Day first appearedin print in 1833. Though the reasons are lost to history, Boxing Day charity eventually fell out of tradition—and was replaced with physical and material pleasures. Here is some background information on this holiday celebrated in many Commonwealth countries around the globe. There’s a need to exorcise – and exercise – all of that. Boxing Day is after Christmas, but what does the December 26 holiday mean? It takes place on December 26, the day after Christmas. Boxing day has traditionally been that one day of the season when all 20 teams are on display on the same day. Traditionally celebrated on December 26th, this is a day of customs ancient and modern; strange and ordinary. While Christmas Day was about being at home with your family, Boxing Day was a time to get outside, to get away from the home. Dates for Boxing Day - Belgium, 2021, 2022 and other years. Read the article below for more information on the origin and history of Boxing Day. Through our research for this page, we have discovered that Christmas Boxes were used in different ways: To protect ships. However, it should be noted that, rather confusingly, there are actually two Saint Stephens in history. The annual Boxing Day test match between Australia’s national team and an opposing side is a tradition many across the country tune in to watch, whilst those living in and around Sydney will head to the coast to watch the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race. In Ireland it is called Lá an Dreoilín, (The Day of the Wren) or Stephen’s Day. SIGN UP FOR MORE HISTORY!