The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times, with the Floralia, festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, held on April 27 during the Roman Republic era, and with the Walpurgis Night celebrations of the Germanic countries.
Since the 18th century, many Roman Catholics have observed May - and May Day - with various May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary[REF] In works of art, school skits, and so forth, Mary's head will often be adorned with flowers in a May crowning.