St Martin's Day (Martinmas) · Ruz-e Sant Martin

Culture of origin: Christian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Australia (national) · Canada (federal) · Christianity · France · Germany (nationwide) · United Kingdom (England and Wales) · United States (federal)

St Martin's Day, or Martinmas, honours Martin of Tours, the Roman soldier who, in the best-known story about him, cut his cloak in half to share it with a beggar in the cold, and who later became a bishop. It marked the old end of harvest and the start of winter, when animals were slaughtered and the new wine was tasted. In Germany, the Netherlands and Flanders children walk in lantern processions singing St Martin songs, and roast goose is eaten.