Local history

The picturesque backdrop of the Dales and the glorious North York Moors; Castle Howard, Mother Shipton's Cave and Betty's Tea Shop; Whitby Abbey, York Minster and the Shambles. These are just a few examples of well-known local landmarks, which attract thousands of tourists to area every year. These landmarks are also some of the reasons to celebrate Yorkshire Day.

Whitby Abbey

Why Yorkshire Day?

The idea of Yorkshire Day came about during a meeting of the Yorkshire Ridings Society in 1974. They chose a date for the event, 1st August, and in 1975 the first ever Yorkshire Day took place.

The 1st August is also the anniversary of the Battle of Minden.

The Battle of Minden

In 1759, during the Seven Years War, two French armies worked their way across Western Germany, capturing important towns on their way. Both French armies commanded by Marquis de Contades and The Duc de Broglie lay at the town of Minden, threatened to invade.

An allied force made up of Prussian, Hanoverian and British forces (of which the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was one) under the command of Prince Ferdinand lay to the North West of the town.

On the 1st August 1759, on their way to battle, British forces passed through gardens in Minden which were blooming with roses. The soldiers picked white roses and placed them in their headdresses and coats.

The allied army defeated the French and Minden Day is celebrated on 1st August. In all battalions of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry a white rose is worn in their caps to commemorate those who fell during battle.

The Yorkshire Flag

The new official Yorkshire flag was unfurled in Hull on 29th July 2008 by the Lord Mayor of Hull, Elaine Garland. The white rose on a blue background has been used across the county since 1965 (although it could be earlier), but was not recognised by the Flag Institute as the official flag for Yorkshire.

The flag’s new status has now been agreed by the Flag Institute after a request was entered by the Yorkshire Riding’s Society. Members of the Yorkshire Ridings Society are carrying the flag to York and hope to arrive in the city on 1st August 2008 for the Yorkshire Day celebrations.