The August Bank Holiday, also known as the Summer Bank Holiday, is observed in the United Kingdom on the last Monday of August in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Scotland celebrates it on the first Monday of August. This public holiday was first introduced by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which designated several bank holidays across the UK. Originally, the August Bank Holiday was celebrated on the first Monday of August throughout the UK and was unique as it was not linked to any religious festival. In 1964, the holiday was moved to late August to extend the holiday season, and after a trial period, it was officially established as the last Monday in August in 1971 for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The August Bank Holiday is one of two UK bank holidays not associated with religious or traditional observances, the other being the Spring Bank Holiday. In 2013, a proposal was made to rename it Margaret Thatcher Day in honor of the former prime minister, but this did not progress.