Happy May Day
It is the first of May and the French are celebrating. What else is new? Known as La Fête du Muguet or la Fête du Travail this national holiday, celebrating the rights of workers, is symbolically recognized with a sprig of lily of the valley. Sprigs this beautifully fragrant flower are gifted as a “porte-bonheur” or lucky charm for recipient.
Completely unrelated to the holiday, have you ever wondered why “May Day” has become the international call for help?
May Day as a call for help began in 1923 when Frederick Mockford, who was a senior radio officer at Croydon Airport in London, used the phrase because it sounded like the French word m’aider, which quite literally means “help me.”
Who knew?
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I began my blog in 2008 as a fun and creative outlet to share musings about my time in Paris, the things I love, making the most of your travels, and how to bring everyday France into your everyday life—no matter where you live.
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