BANK HOLIDAYS, in the United Kingdom, those days which by the Bank Holidays Act 1871 are kept as close holidays in all banks in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland respectively. Before the year 1834, the Bank of England was closed on certain saints' days and anniversaries, about 33 days in all. In these were reduced to four—Good Friday, May r, Nov. 1, and Christmas Day. By the act of 1871, the following were consti tuted bank holidays in England and Ireland—Easter Monday, the Monday in Whitsun week, the first Monday of August, Dec. 26 if a week-day; and by the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act 1903, March 17 as a special bank holiday for Ireland (see FEASTS AND FESTIVALS). In Scotland—New Year's day, Christmas Day, Good Friday, the 1st Monday of May, the 1st Monday of August, or if Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Sunday, the next Monday following are bank holidays under the Bank Holiday Act 1871. By the same act it was made lawful for the sovereign from time to time, as it should seem fit, to appoint by proclamation, in the same manner as public fasts or days of public thanksgiving, any day to be observed as a bank holiday throughout the United Kingdom or any part of it, or to substi tute another day. (For further information and for United States see HOLIDAY.)