St Johns, the hill is said to be formed from soil from each of the ancient parishes and rises in circular terraces. Once a year the Manx Parliament and people meet in the open air to hear the proclamation of new laws. The traditional date for the assembly was Midsummer Day 24th June. This was Christianised as the festival of St John the Baptist. Since the alteration of the calendar in 1752, the ceremony has been and still is held on old Midsummer Day, 5th July.
