Tywald Day is the Manx National Day. It has its roots in the midsummer courts from Viking times. At midsummer, people would congregate in the middle of the island to discuss the laws, hold a midsummer fayre, meet with friends and celebrate. Over time, the meeting place was settled as St John's, and the date was the 24th of June, St John the Baptist's feast day.
In 1753, the Isle of Man adopted the Gregorian calendar to being it into line with the English-speaking world and the rest of Europe. The decision was taken "Midsummer Tynwald Court shall be holden and kept ... upon or according to the same natural Days upon or according to which the same should have been so kept or holden ... in case this Act had never been made." There were 11 days difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars, and what was the 24th of June became the 5th of July.
In the years when the 5th of July falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the next Monday is the day it is celebrated. The Vikings would have felt quite at home. They would recognise the law making, the fayre, meeting with old friends and celebrating.
There is a requirement under Manx law that teach Act of Tynwald must be promulgated on Tynwald Hill within eighteen months of enactment or it ceases to have effect. Promulgation of the Acts takes place on Tynwald Day and the promulgation is certified at the sitting of Tynwald at St John's.
When Covid-19 arrived on the island, many events were cancelled. A decision was taken to limit the Tynwald proceeding to only the legally required elements. This year, there is no fayre, there is no meeting with old friends, and people are being encouraged to celebrate at home.
O land of our birth, O gem of God's earth,
O Island so strong and so fair;
Built firm as Barrule,
Thy Throne of Home Rule.
Makes us free as thy sweet mountain air.
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