1. St George's Day
When is St George's Day?
St. George's Day is on 23 April. It is England's national day.
Who was St George?
St. George is the patron saint of England.
His emblem, a red cross on a white
background, is the flag of England, and part
of the British flag. St George's emblem was
adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and St George's Emblem
The Flag of England
brought to England in the 12th century. The A symbol of England
king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to
avoid confusion in battle.
Like England, every country in the UK has its own patron
saint who in times of great peril is called upon to help save
the country from its enemies.

2. Who was the real St
George and what did he
do to become England's
patron saint?
St George was a brave Roman soldier
who protested against the Romans'
torture of Christians and died for his
beliefs. The popularity of St George in
England stems from the time of the early
Crusades when it is said that the
Normans saw him in a vision and were
victorious.
Dragon-Slaying Patron Saint of
England
One of the best-known stories about Saint George is his fight
with a dragon. But it is highly unlikely that he ever fought a
dragon, and even more unlikely that he ever actually visited
England. Despite this, St. George is known throughout the world
as the dragon-slaying patron saint of England.
St George is always depicted as a knight carrying a shield

3. with a red cross (or a banner with a red cross), generally
sitting upon a horse and always killing a dragon
St George, Patron Saint of Scouting
On the Sunday nearest to 23 April, scouts and guides
throughout England parade through high streets and attend
a special St George’s Day service at their local church.
Sevenoaks District St Georges Day Parade
How does England celebrate St
George's Day?
By tradition, 23 April is the day for a red rose in the button
hole, the national flower. However, unlike other countries,
England does not celebrate it like Americans celebrate 4 July
with fireworks. In fact, you are more likely to see bit St
Patrick parades in England celebrating Ireland’s National
Day, more than you would see any sign of St George’s Day
being celebrated. For most people in England St George’s
Day is just another ordinary working day.
Interesting Facts
 Despite the fact that St. George has been the
patron saint of England since the 14th century,
only one in five people know that St. George’s Day
falls on 23 April.
 More than a quarter of people living in England do
not even know who their patron saint is!

4.  Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 and he
died on the same day in 1616.
Mummers Plays
S t . G eo r g e fr e q u e nt ly a pp e a rs i n M u m m e rs ’ P l ay s d ur i n g E as t er
a n d C hr is t m as c e l eb r at i o ns . M u m m e rs ’ Pl ay s h av e b e e n
p e r f or m e d i n B r it a i n f or h u nd r e ds o f y e a rs . Th ey ar e f o lk
d r a m as b as ed o n t h e l e g e n d o f St . G e or g e a n d t h e S ev en
C h a m p i o ns o f C hr is te n d o m .
EXERCISES:
1. Answer the following questions with your own words. (about 50 words
for answer)
a. How do they celebrate St George’s Day in England?
b. What’s the most popular story about St George?
c. How did St George become popular?
2. Check the following link and watch the video. Then, answer the
questions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8D3c58oMU4
a. What are they demanding and why?
b. Does it happen the same in your country?
3. Write a composition about the National Holiday in your country and
compare it to St. George’s Day in England. (150-180 words)