The Dutch Tradition of Moving Day on May 1: British-American History

One of the most insane things I’ve ever come across:

Up until World War II, the majority of renters in NYC all moved at the same time on May 1st at 9am.

This is because (almost) every housing lease in NYC expired on the same day.

This goes back to an old Dutch tradition where… pic.twitter.com/QLpvEBcwCT

— Turner Novak 🍌🧢 (@TurnerNovak) May 1, 2026