St. George is the patron saint of many countries and St. George's Day was equivalent to Christmas celebrations in England between the 15th and 18th century. Recently, St. George’s Day festivities have resurfaced in England and suggestions have been made to make St. George’s Day a public holiday. A traditional custom at this time is to wear a red rose in a coat or jacket lapel. Another custom is to fly the St George's Cross flag and pubs are decorated with garlands of the red cross with a white background. It is customary for the hymn "Jerusalem" to be sung in English cathedrals, churches and chapels on St George's Day, or on the Sunday closest to it.Shakespeare, who is said to have been born on St. George’s Day, is often quoted from his play Henry V, ‘Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!’
