Modern Slough is a vibrant, multicultural community, but it was not so long ago that British people were encouraged to consider themselves superior. Empire Day celebrated 'Britishness' and the British Empire, emphasising patriotism amongst school children in particular.

The news article shown here, from the Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer of 30 May 1925, describes celebrations at Stoke Road School in Slough:

"Miss Senyard…reminded the children that they formed part of the British Empire, and that they might think with others in lands across the sea, what it meant to be sons and daughters of such a glorious Empire…The strength of the Empire depended upon them, and they must never forget it."

Empire Day was first celebrated on 24th May 1902 (24th May being the birthday of Queen Victoria, who had died the previous year). It was not officially recognised as an annual event until 1916, although many schools throughout the country were celebrating it before this.

It was an opportunity to raise knowledge of the British Empire and encourage patriotic feeling. On Empire Day, school children would generally salute the flag, sing patriotic songs and hear speeches about the British Empire, before being let out of school for the rest of the day.

As the British Empire declined, so too did interest in Empire Day, and in 1958 it became known as British Commonwealth Day, then Commonwealth Day from 1966, when the date was altered to 10th June (the official birthday of the present Queen).