May
Month Number
Days In Month Calendar Named After Month Flower Month Stone |
Fifth
31 Days Gregorian calendars Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility Lily of the Valley and the Crataegus monogyna Emerald |
May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. It is also a month within the northern season of spring.
History
Maia Greek goddess of fertility
The month May has been named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May. Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for "elders," and that the following month (June) is named for the iuniores, or "young people"
In both common Western calendrical systems, no other month begins on the same day of the week as May. This month and June are the only two months that have this trait, though the first day of August in a common year and the first day of October in a leap year are also unique.
In both common Western calendrical systems, no other month begins on the same day of the week as May. This month and June are the only two months that have this trait, though the first day of August in a common year and the first day of October in a leap year are also unique.
Important Holidays & Event in May
Approximately 700,000 people at a May Day concert in Rome
- May 1 is the feast of St. Joseph the worker in the Roman Catholic calendar. In the Catholic Church the month of May is dedicated to and honors the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- May 1 is May Day in many countries. This is also celebrated as Labor Day in many countries.
- The night before May 1 in Germany it is an old custom to plant a "Maypole" to honor someone. Often young men set up an adorned birch in front of their girlfriend's house.
- The first Saturday in May is the date of the annual Kentucky Derby, the most famous horse race in the United States.
- May 5 is when Cinco de Mayo or the Batalla de Puebla is celebrated in Mexico. It is also celebrated widely in the United States.
- May 5 is the Children's Day in Japan and Korea
- May 5 is Europe Day in Europe (uncommon usage, largely replaced by May 9).
- May 8 is VE Day in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe it is celebrated on May 9.
- May 9 is Europe Day in the European Union
- May 10 is Mother's Day in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
- May 12 is International Nurses Day.
- May 12 is the day of the Finnish language in Finland.
- May 12 is International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND). These diseases include Neurofibromatosis, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS)/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Fibromyalgia, Gulf War Syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
- May 15 is the beginning of Tourette Syndrome awareness month. It ends on June 15th.
- May 21 is when the Battle of Iquique (Combate Naval de Iquique) is celebrated in Chile, and it is a national holiday.
- May 24 is when Eritrea celebrates its Independence Day (Independence from Ethiopia).
- May 24 is remembered and celebrated in Ecuador as the day of the Battle of Pichincha – May 24, 1823.
- May 25 is the May Revolution (or Revolución de Mayo), a national holiday in Argentina.
- In Canada, Victoria Day is celebrated on the last Monday on or before May 24.
- South Asian Heritage Month – celebration of Indian/South Asian peoples and peoples of Indian/South Asian descent worldwide
- Mental Health Awareness Month – raising awareness about mental illness in the United States.
- National Military Appreciation Month – in the United States to recognize and honor the US Armed Forces.
- Skin Cancer Awareness Month