April 23rd

St. George became the Patron Saint of England at the end of the 14th Century.  It was in the year 1415 AD that English Soldiers under Henry V won the battle of Agincourt.  St. George's Day became a public holiday in England after Edward III dedicated the Order of the Garter to him in  1348, the highest order of English Knighthood.

Finally the 2002 World Cup and Queen Elizabeth the 2nd's Golden Jubilee have brought out the patriotic flag of England and the UK.  NO longer are we ashamed to fly our country's banner for fear of offending.  Although madness of Political Correctness is still rife. 

The Welsh celebrate Saint David, The Scots have a wee dram to St. Andrew and the most celebrated Saint in England is on 17th March, which is St. Patrick's Day (Patron Saint of Ireland).  Yet our very own Patron Saint's Day will pass virtually un-noticed.  Why?    It's our job to raise the status of our own Patron Saint.... Saint George!

More than three quarters of English people are proud of their nationality but less than half are aware that the 23rd of April is St George's Day, a survey suggests.   The research, in a Mori poll commissioned by the England football kit makers Umbro, found that only 46% correctly identified the date - the figure dropped to 31% among those aged between 16 and 24.  Microsoft Encarta states that 1 in 3 English people had NEVER heard the legend behind Saint George and the Dragon.  Lets raise these figures!

Please do your part; at least start wearing a Red Rose on April 23rd. 
It is traditional for men to give the woman they love a red rose, and the lady in question corresponds by giving her boyfriend a book.

Please click the link & sign the petition to make April 23rd a National Holiday.