<P> The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown . It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor . Also, it may come from a custom in the late Roman / early Christian era, wherein metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen, which in the Western Church falls on the same day as Boxing Day . </P> <P> Boxing Day is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day . 26 December is also Saint Stephen's Day, a religious holiday . </P> <P> In the UK, Boxing Day is a bank holiday (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 1871). When 26 December falls on a Saturday, the Boxing Day public holiday is moved to the substitute day, which is the following Monday . If 26 December falls on a Sunday, the substitute public holiday is the following Tuesday . As Boxing Day was traditionally the first week day (historically Monday--Saturday) after Christmas, it cannot technically be on a Sunday as that is considered to be the day of worship . However, 26 December is nowadays generally referred to as Boxing Day, even when it falls on the Sunday . </P> <P> In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974, by Royal Proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 . </P>

When did boxing day become a bank holiday