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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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jubilees
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The original jubilee, among the ancient Hebrews, was a celebration every 50th year. The Roman Catholic Church introduced jubilee years, for special pilgrimage to Rome; the interval between was soon reduced, for sound commercial reasons, to 25 years. The same reduction has occurred with royal jubilees in Britain. The first, in 1809, marked the beginning of the 50th year of George III's reign. Victoria had a golden jubilee in 1887 for 50 completed years, and a diamond jubilee in 1897. In this century there have been two, each celebrating 25 years – in 1935 for George V and in 1977 for Elizabeth II. Jubilees tend now to be celebrated round the country in local street parties.
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