THE three day May bank holiday starts on Friday 8 to Sunday May 10, marking the second time the date has been shifted in history.
But why is it being moved from its traditional spot on the first Monday of the month?
When is the May Day bank holiday in 2020?
Normally the early May bank holiday falls on the first Monday of May.
But in 2020 it won't be on May 4, it will be on Friday 8.
The Government announced the change of date in June to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
The day has only been moved once before, in 1995, to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.
What is VE Day?
VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day which took place on Tuesday, May 8, 1945.
It was the day on which allied forces announced the surrender of Germany in Europe.
It marked the end of Adolf Hitler’s war and sparked celebrations around the world.
The day before at 2.41pm on May 7, 1945, Germany had surrendered.
Hitler had committed suicide a week earlier leaving Grand Admiral Donitz of the German army to admit defeat.
The Normandy landings in June 1944 had proved instrumental in achieving victory for the allies, as had the huge eastern offensives of the USSR.
Six years of war that had cost the lives of millions had finally come to a close.
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