| Oak Apple Day | |
|---|---|
 An oak apple | |
| Also called |
|
| Type | Historical |
| Observances | Wearing of sprigs of oak leaves and/or oak apples |
| Date | 29 May |
| Next time | 29 May 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1661 |
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act for a Perpetuall Anniversary Thanksgiveing on the nine and twentieth day of May. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 12 Cha. 2. c. 14 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 29 August 1660 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Anniversary Days Observance Act 1859 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
Restoration Day, more commonly known as Oak Apple Day or Royal Oak Day, was an English, Welsh and Irish public holiday, observed annually on 29 May, to commemorate the restoration of the Stuart monarchy in May 1660.[1] In some parts of England the day is still celebrated. It has also been known as Shick Shack Day, or Oak and Nettle Day.[2]
In 1660, the English Parliament passed into law "An Act for a Perpetual Anniversary Thanksgiving on the Nine and Twentieth Day of May" (12 Cha. 2. c. 14), declaring 29 May a public holiday "for keeping of a perpetual Anniversary, for a Day of Thanksgiving to God, for the great Blessing and Mercy he hath been graciously pleased to vouchsafe to the People of these Kingdoms, after their manifold and grievous Sufferings, in the Restoration of his Majesty..."[3] Charles II of England, returning from exile, entered London on 29 May 1660, his 30th birthday.
The public holiday was abolished under the Anniversary Days Observance Act 1859, but the date retains some significance in local and institutional customs. It is, for example, still observed as Founder's Day by the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which was founded by Charles II in 1681.[4][5]
In Ireland, Oak Apple Day was made a public holiday under the Act of Settlement 1662.[6][7]
- ^ Chambers 1879, pp. 693–694.
- ^ Hole 1978, pp. 114–115.
- ^ Browning 1995, p. 54; House of Commons Journal 1802, pp. 49–50.
- ^ Drake-Carnell 1938, p. 73.
- ^ "Old Soldiers on Parade to Honour Royal Founder". The Times. London. 7 June 2012. p. 20.
- ^ McNally, Frank. "Out of his tree – Frank McNally on Royal Oak Day and the pub name it inspired". The Irish Times.
- ^ Harris, Tim (26 January 2006). Restoration: Charles II and His Kingdoms, 1660-1685. Penguin UK. ISBN 9780141926742 – via Google Books.
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