Tynwald Day, Isle Of Man

[Miss Muffet]

Tynwald Day is the National Day of the Isle of Man, it usually occurs on July 5th. On Tynwald day, the Isle's legislature meets in St John's rather than Douglas which is the usual meeting place. The session is held both in the Chapel of St John the Baptist and in open air, on Tynwald Hill which is an artificial mound. The meeting (the first recorded meeting dates back to 1417) is known as "Midsummer Court". Members of the two branches of Tynwald, the House of Keys and the Legislative Council attend. The Lieutenant Governor, the representative of Lord of Mann (the British Sovereign), usually presides except on the occasions when the Lord or a member of the British Royal Family is in attendance. All bills that have received the Royal Assent are announced and made effective on Tynwald Dayand any Act of Tynwald which is not carried out within eighteen months of passage ceases to have effect. Other proceedings include the presentation of petitions and the swearing-in of certain public officials.