Publish at October 15 2025 Updated October 15 2025
Public holidays are obviously times for relaxation. Who doesn't like to rest after a busy day? However, these rather arbitrary days usually have an important history. Hence their interest when governments try to abolish them.
As this France Culture capsule reminds us, these dates are often political decisions taken to mark an event. For example, when the national holiday is declared on July 14, it's a choice that's far from trivial. Those in charge could have chosen many other days, but July 14th was the one when popular revolt, and therefore the influence of the French people, was greatest, hence this choice.
Secondly, certain citizens' movements led to public holidays. For example, January 1st was often taken by workers to rest on the first day of the year. However, as this was not ratified by the public authorities, creditors or others could come and disturb people during this vacation. So it took massive pressure to get the French government to declare January 1st a public holiday.
Running time: 5min12
Learn more about this resource
You might also like:
"Phalenes! understanding natural selection through play
A serious game designed to demonstrate natural selection and its effects on a moth population.
A virtual aquarium to understand Darwinian evolution
Is it possible to understand evolution through simulation? It would seem so. A very interesting resource for high school science classes.
Develop your musical ear through play with Meludia
To a layman, music is just a tune performed by a musician. Yet, if he were to play Meludia, he would learn all the rudiments and terms associated with musical practice.
A series of games that require an ear.
"Space Shelter: Google's cybersecurity game
All our lives have an online component. As a result, a large proportion of Internet users are at risk of being tricked by hackers. A short game invites Internet users to remember certain elements of cybersecurity using a space theme.
