May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and

Gregorian calendar The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The principal change was to space leap years dif ...

s and is the third of seven months to have a length of 31 days. May is a month of

spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season) Spring, also known as springtime, is one of the four temperate seasons, succeeding winter and preceding summer. There are various technical definitions of spring, but local usage of ...

in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, May in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of November in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa. Late May typically marks the start of the summer vacation season in the United States (

Memorial Day Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monda ...

) and Canada (

Victoria Day Victoria Day (french: Fête de la Reine, lit=Celebration of the Queen) is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday preceding May 25. Initially in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday, it has since been celebrated as the offi ...

) that ends on Labor Day, the first Monday of September. May (in

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

, '' Maius'') was named for the

Greek god The following is a list of gods, goddesses, and many other divine and semi-divine figures from ancient Greek mythology and ancient Greek religion. Immortals The Greeks created images of their deities for many purposes. A temple would house the ...

dess

Maia Maia (; Ancient Greek: Μαῖα; also spelled Maie, ; la, Maia), in ancient Greek religion and mythology, is one of the Pleiades and the mother of Hermes, one of the major Greek gods, by Zeus, the king of Olympus. Family Maia is the daugh ...

, who was identified with the

Roman era In modern historiography, ancient Rome refers to Roman civilisation from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It encompasses the Roman Kingdom (753–509 BC ...

goddess of fertility,

Bona Dea Bona Dea (; 'Good Goddess') was a goddess in ancient Roman religion. She was associated with chastity and fertility in Roman women, healing, and the protection of the state and people of Rome. According to Roman literary sources, she was brought ...

, whose

festival A festival is an event ordinarily celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect or aspects of that community and its religion or cultures. It is often marked as a local or national holiday, mela, or eid. A festival ...

was held in May. Conversely, the Roman poet

Ovid Pūblius Ovidius Nāsō (; 20 March 43 BC – 17/18 AD), known in English as Ovid ( ), was a Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. He was a contemporary of the older Virgil and Horace, with whom he is often ranked as one of the th ...

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" (''Fasti VI.88''). Podophyllum peltatum Shenks Ferry 2

Lady of the Rosary altar, Inner City Parish Church, 2016 Budapest

Eta Aquariids The Eta Aquariids are a meteor shower associated with Halley's Comet. The shower is visible from about April 19 to about May 28 each year with peak activity on or around May 5. Unlike most major annual meteor showers, there is no sharp peak for ...

meteor shower appears in May. It is visible from about April 21 to about May 20 each year with peak activity on or around May 6. The Arietids shower from May 22 – July 2, and peaks on June 7. The

Virginids The Virginids are a meteor shower. There are many major and minor meteor shower streams that occur during the Virginid Complex, including the Alpha Virginids, Gamma Virginids, Eta Virginids, Theta Virginids, Iota Virginids, Lambda Virginids, Mu Virg ...

also shower at various dates in May.

Ancient Roman observances

Under the calendar of ancient Rome, the festival of

fell on May 1, Argei fell on May 14 or May 15,

Agonalia An Agonalia or Agonia was an obscure archaic religious observance celebrated in ancient Rome several times a year, in honor of various divinities. Its institution, like that of other religious rites and ceremonies, was attributed to Numa Pomp ...

fell on May 21, and Ambarvalia on May 29. Floralia was held April 27 during the

Republican era Republican Era can refer to: * Minguo calendar, the official era of the Republic of China It may also refer to any era in a country's history when it was governed as a republic or by a Republican Party. In particular, it may refer to: * Roman Rep ...

, or April 28 on the

Julian calendar The Julian calendar, proposed by Roman consul Julius Caesar in 46 BC, was a reform of the Roman calendar. It took effect on , by edict. It was designed with the aid of Greek mathematicians and astronomers such as Sosigenes of Alexandr ...

, and lasted until May 3. Lemuria (festival) fell on 9,11, and 13 May under the Julian calendar. The College of Aesculapius and Hygia celebrated two festivals of Rosalia (festival), one on May 11 and one on May 22. Rosalia was also celebrated at

Pergamon Pergamon or Pergamum ( or ; grc-gre, Πέργαμον), also referred to by its modern Greek form Pergamos (), was a rich and powerful ancient Greek city in Mysia. It is located from the modern coastline of the Aegean Sea on a promontory on th ...

on May 24–26. A military Rosalia festival, Rosaliae signorum, also occurred on May 31. Ludi Fabarici was celebrated on May 29 – June 1. Mercury would receive a sacrifice on the Ides of May (May 15).

Tubilustrium In Ancient Rome the month of March was the traditional start of the campaign season, and the Tubilustrium was a ceremony to make the army fit for war. The ceremony involved sacred trumpets called ''tubae''. Johannes Quasten, however, argues ...

took place on May 23 as well as in March. These dates do not correspond to the modern

May symbols

May's birthstone is the emerald which is emblematic of love and success.

*The May birth flowers are the

Lily of the Valley Lily of the valley (''Convallaria majalis'' (), sometimes written lily-of-the-valley, is a woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, pendent, bell-shaped white flowers borne in sprays in spring. It is native throughout the cool temperate No ...

and the ''

Crataegus monogyna ''Crataegus monogyna'', known as common hawthorn, one-seed hawthorn, or single-seeded hawthorn, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae. It is native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and West Asia, but has been introduced in ...

''. Both are native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and in the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States, but have been naturalized throughout the temperate climatic world. :

The "Mayflower" ''

Epigaea repens ''Epigaea repens'', the mayflower, trailing arbutus, or ground laurel, is a low, spreading shrub in the family Ericaceae. It is found from Newfoundland to Florida, west to Kentucky and the Northwest Territories. Description The plant is a slow-g ...

'' is a North American harbinger of May, and the floral emblem of both

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland". Most of the population are native Eng ...

and

Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut Massachusett_writing_systems.html" ;"title="nowiki/> məhswatʃəwiːsət.html" ;"title="Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət">Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət'' En ...

. Its native range extends from Newfoundland south to Florida, west to Kentucky in the southern range, and to Northwest Territories in the north. *The

zodiac The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. The pat ...

signs for the month of May are

Taurus Taurus is Latin for 'bull' and may refer to: * Taurus (astrology), the astrological sign * Taurus (constellation), one of the constellations of the zodiac * Taurus (mythology), one of two Greek mythological characters named Taurus * '' Bos tauru ...

(until May 20) and

Gemini Gemini may refer to: Space * Gemini (constellation), one of the constellations of the zodiac ** Gemini in Chinese astronomy * Project Gemini, the second U.S. crewed spaceflight program * Gemini Observatory, consisting of telescopes in the Norther ...

(May 21 onwards).. Signs in UT/GMT for 1950–2030.

May observances

Month-long observances

* Working class history month * Better Hearing and Speech Month * In Catholic tradition, May is the Month of the

Blessed Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jews, Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Jose ...

. See

May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary refer to special Marian devotions held in the Catholic Church during the month of May honoring Mary, mother of God as "the Queen of May". These services may take place inside or outside. A "May Crowning" i ...

* Celiac Awareness Month * Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. * Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness month * Flores de Mayo (Philippines) * Garden for Wildlife month *

Huntington's Disease Huntington's disease (HD), also known as Huntington's chorea, is a neurodegenerative disease that is mostly inherited. The earliest symptoms are often subtle problems with mood or mental abilities. A general lack of coordination and an uns ...

Awareness Month (International) * International Mediterranean Diet Month *

Kaamatan Kaamatan or Pesta Kaamatan is a form of harvest festival celebrated on 30 and 31 of May annually in the state of Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan in Malaysia. It is normally celebrated by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns, as well as by other ...

harvest festival (

Labuan Labuan (), officially the Federal Territory of Labuan ( ms, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan), is a Federal Territory of Malaysia. Its territory includes and six smaller islands, off the coast of the state of Sabah in East Malaysia. Labuan's capita ...

Sabah Sabah () is a state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, in the region of East Malaysia. Sabah borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and the North Kalimantan province of Indonesia to the south. The Federal Territory o ...

) * New Zealand Music Month (New Zealand) *

National Pet Month ''National Pet Month'' is a celebration of the benefits that pets bring to people's lives - and vice versa. It is observed annually in the United States in May and during the month of April in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great B ...

(United Kingdom) *

National Smile Month National Smile Month is the United Kingdom's largest oral health campaign, held annually across May and June. Formerly "National Smile Week" it is now one of the biggest not-for-profit dental health events in Europe; it attracts thousands of eve ...

(United Kingdom) * Season of Emancipation (April 14 to August 23) (Barbados) *

Skin Cancer Skin cancers are cancers that arise from the skin. They are due to the development of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. There are three main types of skin cancers: basal-cell skin cancer (BCC) ...

Awareness Month *

South Asian Heritage Month South Asian Heritage Month is the name given to the month-long celebration in the South Asian diaspora to celebrate the heritage of people with roots in the South Asian countries of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhut ...

(International) * World Trade Month

United States

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (, officially changed from Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month) is observed in the United States during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and ...

* National

ALS Awareness Month ALS Awareness Month is a campaign to spread awareness of and raise funds for research for a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Canada In Canada, June has been declared as ALS Awareness Month by the ...

* Bicycle Month * National Brain Tumor Awareness Month * National Burger Month * Community Action Awareness Month (

North Dakota North Dakota () is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota Sioux. North Dakota is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minnesota to the east, So ...

) * National Electrical Safety Month * National Foster Care Month * National Golf Month *

Jewish American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual recognition and celebration of American Jews' achievements and contributions to the United States of America during the month of May. President George W. Bush first proclaimed the month on Apr ...

Haitian Heritage Month Haitian Heritage Month is a celebration in the United States of Haitian heritage and culture. It was first celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1998. History Tele Kreyol, one of the Boston Haitian Access Television programs, celebrated the ...

Hepatitis Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver tissue. Some people or animals with hepatitis have no symptoms, whereas others develop yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes ( jaundice), poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal ...

Awareness Month *

Mental Health Awareness Month Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as "Mental Health Month") has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings. Mental Health Awareness Month began in the Unit ...

National Military Appreciation Month National Military Appreciation Month, also known as Military Appreciation Month, is a month-long observance observed in the United States, dedicated to people who are currently in the military or have resigned from duty. Each year, the observance ...

* National Moving Month * National Osteoporosis Month *

National Stroke Awareness Month National Stroke Awareness Month is observed in the United States annually during the month of May. National Stroke Awareness Month was created to promote public awareness and reduce the incidence of stroke in the United States. History National S ...

* National Water Safety Month * Older Americans Month

Non-Gregorian observances, 2020

''(All Baha'i, Islamic, and Jewish observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.)'' * List of observances set by the Bahá'í calendar * List of observances set by the Chinese calendar *

List of observances set by the Hebrew calendar All observances begin at sunset the day prior to the Gregorian date listed unless otherwise noted, and end on nightfall of the date in question, which is defined as the appearance of three stars in the sky. On leap years (which occur every 2– ...

List of observances set by the Islamic calendar All Islamic observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted. Holidays for 1441 (2019-2020) {, class="wikitable" !width=20%, Date on Islamic Calendar !width=20%, Gre ...

List of observances set by the Solar Hijri calendar Dates in this table are determined by when the March Equinox falls. It will fall on March 20 from 2018-2023. {, class="wikitable" , - style="background:#efefef;" ! Holiday date !!Holiday name !! Description !!March equinox on March 19 !!March Eq ...

Movable observances, 2020

Phi Ta Khon Phi Ta Khon ( th, ผีตาโขน; phǐi taa khǒn; ) is a festival held in Dan Sai, Loei province, Isan, Thailand. The events take place over three days sometime between March and July, the dates being selected annually by the town’s med ...

(Dan Sai, Loei province,

Isan Northeast Thailand or Isan ( Isan/ th, อีสาน, ; lo, ອີສານ; also written as Isaan, Isarn, Issarn, Issan, Esan, or Esarn; from Pali ''īsānna'' or Sanskrit ईशान्य ''īśānya'' "northeast") consists of 20 prov ...

, Thailand) Dates are selected by village mediums and can take place anywhere between March and July. *

National Small Business Week National Small Business Week is a national recognition event to honor the United States' top entrepreneurs each year. The distinguished group of small business owners are hailed each year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and a collection o ...

(

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

): May 5 – 11 *

National Hurricane Preparedness Week In 2004, National Hurricane Preparedness Week in the United States replaced the previous observance of National Hurricane Awareness Week, as awareness does not equate to preparedness. National Hurricane Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort to in ...

(

): May 5 – 11 * New Zealand Sign Language Week: May 6 – 12 * Green Office Week (

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

): May 13 – 17 *

Walk Safely to School Day Walk Safely to School Day is an annual, national event in Australia in which primary school children are encouraged to walk or commute safely to school, an initiative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia. It is held annually in May on a varyi ...

( Australia): May 17 * Emergency Medical Services Week (

): May 19 – 25 *

Bike to Work Week Victoria Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of 91,867, and the Greater Victoria area has a population of 397,237. The ...

(May 27 – June 2)

Movable Western Christian observances {{Use mdy dates, date=July 2017 This is a list of movable observances within Western Christianity. It includes secular observances which are calculated by religious observances. ''This list does not necessarily imply either official status nor gen ...
, 2020 dates

* Special devotions to the

Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

take place in May. See

. Sunday after Divine Mercy Sunday: May 5 *

Jubilate Sunday The Fourth Sunday of Easter is the day that occurs three weeks after the Christian celebration of Easter. Western Christianity Tridentine Catholicism (pre-1970) In the historical Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, this day was officially ...

Monday and Tuesday in the week following the third Sunday of Easter: May 6–7 *

Hocktide Hocktide, Hock tide or Hoke Day is a very old term used to denote the Monday and Tuesday in the second week after Easter. It was an English medieval festival; both the Tuesday and the preceding Monday were the Hock-days. Together with Whitsuntid ...

(

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

) Fourth Sunday after Easter: May 12 * Cantate Sunday * Good Shepherd Sunday Fourth Friday after Easter: May 17 *

Store Bededag {{Infobox holiday , holiday_name = Store bededag , type = , image = , imagesize = , caption = , official_name = , nickname = Great Prayer Day , observedby = Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland; formerly: Norway, Ic ...

(

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...

) Third Sunday of May: May 19 * Feast of Our Lady of the Audience Sunday preceding the Rogation days: May 26 *

Rogation Sunday Rogation days are days of prayer and fasting in Western Christianity. They are observed with processions and the Litany of the Saints. The so-called ''major'' rogation is held on 25 April; the ''minor'' rogations are held on Monday to Wednesday ...

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday preceding Feast of the Ascension: May 27–29 *Minor Rogation days 39 days after Easter: May 30 *

Feast of the Ascension The Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, also called Ascension Day, Ascension Thursday, or sometimes Holy Thursday, commemorates the Christian belief of the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is one of the ecumenical (i.e., shared by ...

**Vatertag, Father's Day (Germany) **Festa della Sensa (Venice) **Day of Prayer#Global Day of Prayer, Global Day of Prayer **Public holidays in Cameroon, Sheep Festival (Cameroon)

Movable Eastern Christian observances, 2020 dates

Wednesday after Pascha: May 1 * Bright Week, Bright Wednesday Thursday after Pascha: May 2 * Bright Week, Bright Thursday Friday after Pascha: May 3 * Bright Week, Bright Friday Saturday after Pascha: May 4 * Bright Week, Bright Saturday 8th day after Pascha: May 5 * Thomas Sunday 2nd Tuesday of Pascha, or 2nd Monday of Pascha, depending on region: May 6 or May 7 * Radonitsa (Russian Orthodox) 2nd Sunday following Pascha: May 12 * Pentecostarion#Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, Sunday of the Myrrhbearers 4th Sunday of Pascha: May 26 * Pentecostarion#Sunday of the Paralytic, Sunday of the Paralytic Wednesday after the Sunday of the Paralytic: May 29 * Mid-Pentecost

Non-religious and civic observances with movable dates

Last Friday in April to the first Sunday in May: April 26 – May 5

* Arbor Day, National Arbour Week (Ontario, Canada)

First Thursday: May 2

* Arbor Day, Arbour Day (

, Canada) * National Day of Prayer (

) * National Day of Reason (United States)

First Saturday: May 4

* Kentucky Derby (moved to September 5, 2020) * Free Comic Book Day * Green Up Day (Vermont,

) * World Naked Gardening Day

= First Sunday: May 5

= *Mother's Day (Angola, Cape Verde, Hungary, Lithuania, Mozambique, Portugal, Spain) *World Laughter Day

First full week: May 5–11

* Teachers' Day, National Teacher Appreciation Week (

) * North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

= Tuesday of First full week: May 4

= *Teachers' Day, National Teacher Appreciation Day (

)

= Wednesday of first full week: May 8

= *Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day

Second week in May: May 5–11

* National Stuttering Awareness Week (

)

First Tuesday: May 7

*World Asthma Day

Friday preceding Second Sunday in May: May 10

* Military Spouse Day (

) * National Public Gardens Day (United States)

Saturday closest to May 10: May 11

*National Train Day (

)

Second Saturday: May 8

*International Migratory Bird Day (Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean) *Arbor Day, National Tree Planting Day (Mongolia)

Second Weekend: May 11–12

*National Mills Day, National Mills Weekend (United Kingdom) *World Migratory Bird Day

Second Sunday: May 9

* American Health Care Association, National Nursing Home Week (United States) * Children's Day (Spain) * Father's Day (Romania) * Mother's Day (Anguilla, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Malta, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zimbabwe) * Public holidays in Belarus, State Flag and State Emblem Day (Belarus) * World Fair Trade Day

Week of May 12: May 6-12

*International Nurses Day, National Nursing Week (United States)

Third Weekend, including Friday: May 14-16

*Sanja Matsuri (Tokyo, Japan)

Third Friday: May 21

*Arbor Day, Arbour Day (Prince Edward Island, Canada) *National Defense Transportation Day *Endangered species, Endangered Species Day (United States) *List of food days#May, National Pizza Party Day (United States)

Third Saturday: May 15

* The Preakness Stakes is run, second jewel in the triple crown of horse racing. * Armed Forces Day (United States) * Culture Freedom Day * Sanja Matsuri * World Whisky Day

Third Sunday: May 16

*Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers *Father's Day (Tonga) * Feast of Our Lady of the Audience *Sanja Matsuri (Tokyo, Japan)

Monday on or before May 24: May 24

* Victoria Day (Scotland)

Third Monday: May 17

*Discovery Day (Cayman Islands)

Monday on or before May 25: May 24

* National Patriots' Day (Quebec)

Last Monday preceding May 25: May 24

(Canada)

May 24, or the nearest weekday if May 24 falls on a weekend: May 24

*Bermuda Day (Bermuda)

Saturday closest to May 30: May 29

*Armed Forces Day (Spain)

Last Weekend: May 29–30

*Kyiv Day (Kyiv)

Last Sunday: May 30

*Arbor Day (Venezuela) *Children's Day (Hungary) *Mother's Day (Algeria, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mauritius, Morocco, Sweden, Tunisia) *Turkmen Carpet Day (Turkmenistan)

Last Monday: May 31

* Heroes' Day (Turks and Caicos Islands) *

(United States), a public holiday, is on May 30, but observed on the last Monday in May. * Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day (Fiji), removed as a national holiday in 2010.

Last Wednesday: May 26

*Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, World Multiple Sclerosis Day

Last Thursday: May 27

*Take a Girl Child to Work Day (South Africa)

Fixed observances in May

* April 29 to May 5 in Japan, which includes four different holidays, is called "Golden Week (Japan), Golden Week". Many workers have up to 10 days off. There is also 'May sickness', where new students or workers start to be tired of their new routine. (In Japan the school year and fiscal year start on April 1.) * Mayovka, in the context of the late Russian Empire, was a picnic in the countryside or in a park in the early days of May, hence the name. Eventually, "mayovka" (specifically, "proletarian mayovka") came to mean an illegal celebration of May 1 by revolutionary public, typically presented as an innocent picnic. * May 1 **Armed Forces Day (Mauritania) **Beltane (Ireland, Neopaganism) **Constitution Day (Argentina) **May Day, Lei Day (Hawaii,

) **May Day (International observance) * May 2 **Dos de Mayo Uprising#Impact of the uprising, Anniversary of the Dos de Mayo Uprising (Holiday of the Region of Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain) **Birth Anniversary of Third Druk Gyalpo (Bhutan) **Flag Day (Poland) **Indonesia National Education Day * May 3 **Constitution Day (Poland) **Constitution Memorial Day (Japan) **Roodmas **Sun Day (International observance, International) **World Press Freedom Day * May 4 **Anti-Bullying Day (United Nations) **Bird Day (

) **Cassinga Day (Namibia) **Remembrance days in Slovakia, Death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik Day (Slovakia) **Greenery Day (Japan) **International Firefighters' Day **May Fourth Movement commemorations: ***Literary Day (Taiwan) ***Youth Day (China) **Remembrance Day for Martyrs and Disabled (Afghanistan) **Remembrance of the Dead (Netherlands) **Public holidays in Latvia, Restoration of Independence day (Latvia) **Star Wars Day (International observance) **GiveForward.com, World Give Day **List of festivals in Fiji, Youth Day (Fiji) * May 5 **Children's Day (Japan, Korea) **Cinco de Mayo **Constitution Day, Constitution Day (Kyrgyzstan) **Coronation Day (Thailand) **Europe Day in Europe (uncommon usage, largely replaced by May 9). **Feast of al-Khadr or Saint George (Palestinian people) **Indian Arrival Day (Guyana) **International Midwives' Day **Liberation Day (Denmark) **Liberation Day (Netherlands) **Lusophone, Lusophone Culture Day (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) **Martyrs' Day (Albania) **Patriots' Victory Day (Ethiopia) **Senior Citizens Day (Palau) **Tango no sekku (Japan) * May 6 **Public holidays in Gabon, Martyrs' Day (Gabon) **Martyrs' Day (Lebanon and Syria) **International No Diet Day **Teachers' Day (Jamaica) **The first day of Hıdırellez (Turkey) **St George's Day related observances (Eastern Orthodox Church): ***Army Day#Bulgaria, Day of Bravery, also known as ''Gergyovden'' (Bulgaria) ***Đurđevdan (Gorani people, Gorani, Romani people, Roma) ***Public holidays in Georgia, Police Day (Georgia) ***George's Day in Spring, Yuri's Day (Russian Orthodox Church) * May 7 **Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakhstan) **Dien Bien Phu Victory Day (Vietnam) **Radio Day (Russia, Bulgaria) * May 8 **Public holidays in Mexico, Miguel Hidalgo's birthday (Mexico) **Parents' Day (South Korea) **Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War, continues to May 9 **Truman Day (Missouri, United States) **White Lotus Day (Theosophy (Blavatskian), Theosophy) **World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day **Veterans Day (Norway) **Victory in Europe Day, VE Day in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe it is celebrated on May 9. * May 9 **Scientology holidays, Anniversary of Dianetics (Church of Scientology) **Europe Day (European Union) **Liberation Day (Guernsey), commemorating the end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. **Liberation Day (Jersey), commemorating the end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. **Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War, continued from May 8. **Victory Day (9 May), Victory Day observances, celebration of the Soviet Union victory over Nazi Germany (Public holidays in the Soviet Union, Soviet Union, Public holidays in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan, Public holidays in Belarus, Belarus, Public holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Public holidays in Georgia, Georgia, Public holidays in Israel, Israel, Public holidays in Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan, Public holidays in Moldova, Moldova, Public holidays in Russia, Russia, Public holidays in Serbia, Serbia, Public holidays in Tajikistan, Tajikistan, Public holidays in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan, Public holidays in Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan) **Victory Day over Nazism in World War II (Ukraine) **Victory and Peace Day (Armenia) marks both the capture of Shusha (1992) in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, and the end of World War II. * May 10 **Children's Day (Maldives) **Confederate Memorial Day (North Carolina and South Carolina) **Constitution Day (Federated States of Micronesia) **Golden Spike, Golden Spike Day (1869 – Completion of the First transcontinental railroad – Promontory Summit, Utah) **Independence Day (Romania), celebrating the declaration of independence of Romania from the Ottoman Empire in 1877. **Liberation Day (Sark), commemorating the end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. * May 11 **Pokhran-II#Legacy, National Technology Day (India) **List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union, Statehood Day (Minnesota) **Human rights in Vietnam, Vietnam Human Rights Day (Vietnam) * May 12 **Public holidays in Georgia, Saint Andrea the First Day (Georgia (country)) **Flag flying days in Finland, Day of the Finnish Identity (Finland) **Chronic fatigue syndrome#Awareness day, International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day **International Nurses Day * May 13 **Abbotsbury Garland Day (Dorset, England) **Heroes' Day (Romania) **Rotuma Day (Rotuma, Fiji) * May 14 **Hastings Banda's Birthday (Malawi) **First day of Izumo-taisha Shrine Grand Festival. (Izumo-taisha, Japan) **National Unification Day (Liberia) *May 15 **Beginning of Tourette Syndrome awareness month. It ends on June 15 **Army Day (Slovenia) **Constituent Assembly Day (Lithuania) **Independence Day (Paraguay) **International Day of Families **Nakba Day (Palestinian people, Palestinian communities) **Peace Officers Memorial Day (United States) **Republic Day (Lithuania) **Saint Ubaldo Day **Teachers' Day (Colombia, Mexico, South Korea) *May 16 **Christianity in Sudan, Martyrs of Sudan (Episcopal Church (USA)) **St Brendan Birthday & Feast day **Mass graves in Iraq, Mass Graves Day (Iraq) **National Day, declared by Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan) **Teachers' Day (Malaysia) * May 17 **National Day Against Homophobia (Canada) **International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, also known as IDAHOT **Public holidays in Malaysia, Birthday of the Raja (Perlis) **Children's Day (Norway) **Constitution Day (Nauru) **Galician Literature Day (Galicia (Spain)) **World Hypertension Day **World Information Society Day **Liberation Day (Democratic Republic of the Congo) **Navy Day#Argentina, Navy Day (Argentina) **Norwegian Constitution Day * May 18 **Baltic Fleet Day (Russia) **Battle of Las Piedras, Battle of Las Piedras Day (Uruguay) **Deportation of the Crimean Tatars, Day of Remembrance of Crimean Tatar genocide (Ukraine) **Flag and Universities Day (Haiti) **Independence Day (Somaliland) (List of states with limited recognition, unrecognized) **International Museum Day **Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day (Sri Lankan Tamil people, Sri Lankan Tamils) **Revival, Unity, and Poetry of Magtymguly Day (Turkmenistan) **Teacher's Day (Syria) **Victory Day (Sri Lanka) **World AIDS Vaccine Day * May 19 **Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkey, Northern Cyprus) **Greek genocide#Political, Greek Genocide Remembrance Day (Greece) **Ho Chi Minh, Hồ Chí Minh's Birthday (Vietnam) **Malcolm X Day (United States of America) **AIDS.gov, National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day **Hepatitis Testing Day (United States) * May 20 **Day of Remembrance (Cambodia) **Emancipation Day (Florida) **European Maritime Day (European Council) **Independence Day (Cuba) **Independence Day, East Timor **Josephine Baker Day (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP) **National Awakening Day (Indonesia) **National Day (Cameroon) **World Metrology Day * May 21 **Afro-Colombian Day (Colombia) **Circassian Day of Mourning (Circassians) **Armed Forces Day#Hungary, Day of Patriots and Military (Hungary) **Navy Day (Chile) **Saint Helena Day, celebrates the discovery of Saint Helena in 1502. **World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (International observance, International) **One of the three festivals of Vejovis (Roman Empire) * May 22 **Abolitionism, Abolition Day (Martinique) **Harvey Milk Day (California) **International Day for Biological Diversity (International observance#May, International) **United States National Maritime Day, National Maritime Day (United States) **National Sovereignty Day (Haiti) **Republic Day (Sri Lanka) **Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas from Myra to Bari (Ukraine) **Unity Day (Yemen) **World Goth Day * May 23 **Constitution Day (Germany) **Labour Day (Jamaica) **Students' Day (Mexico) **World Turtle Day * May 24 ** Feast of Mary Help of Christians (Roman Catholicism) **Aldersgate Day/John Wesley, Wesley Day (Methodism) **Public holidays in Ecuador, Battle of Pichincha Day (Ecuador) **Commonwealth Day (Belize) **Independence Day (Eritrea) **Lubiri Memorial Day (Buganda) **Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (Eastern Orthodox Church) and its related observance: ***Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavonic Literature Day (Bulgaria) ***Public holidays in North Macedonia, Saints Cyril and Methodius, Slavonic Enlighteners' Day (North Macedonia) * May 25 **Africa Day (African Union) **African Liberation Day (African Union) **Day of Youth **Geek Pride Day **Independence Day (Jordan) **Liberation Day (Lebanon), Liberation Day (Lebanon) **May Revolution (or Revolución de Mayo), a national holiday in Argentina **International Missing Children's Day **Last bell (Russia, post-Soviet countries) **Liberation Day (Lebanon) **National Day (Argentina) **National Missing Children's Day (United States) **National Tap Dance Day (United States) **Towel Day * May 26 **Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, Crown Prince's Birthday (Denmark) **Independence Day (Guyana) **Independence Day (Georgia) **Mother's Day (Poland) **National Day of Healing (Australia) **National Paper Airplane Day (United States) * May 27 **Armed Forces Day (Nicaragua) **Children's Day (Nigeria) **Mother's Day (Bolivia) **Navy Day (Japan) **Politics of Guadeloupe, Slavery Abolition Day (Guadeloupe, Saint Barthélemy, Collectivity of Saint Martin, Saint Martin) **World MS Day **Start of National Reconciliation Week (Australia) * May 28 **Armed Forces Day (Croatia) **Downfall of the Derg Day (Ethiopia) **Flag Day (Philippines) (Display of the flag in all places until June 12 is encouraged) **Independence Day (Armenia) **Republic Day (Nepal) **Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, TDFR Republic Day **Youm-e-Takbir (Pakistan) * May 29 **Armed Forces Day, Army Day (Argentina) **International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (International observance, International) **Oak Apple Day (England), and its related observance: ***Castleton Garland Day (Castleton, Derbyshire, Castleton) **List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union, Statehood Day (Rhode Island and Wisconsin) **Veterans Day (Sweden) **World Digestive Health Day * May 30 **Anguilla Day (Anguilla) **Canary Islands Day (Spain) **Indian Arrival Day (Trinidad and Tobago) **Lod Massacre Remembrance Day (Puerto Rico) **Mother's Day (Nicaragua) **Parliament Day (Croatia) * May 31 **Royal Brunei Land Forces, Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (Brunei) **Public holidays in Spain#Regional holidays, Castile–La Mancha Day (Castile-La Mancha) **Visitation (Christian), Visitation of Mary (Western Christianity) **World No Tobacco Day (International observance, International)

References

{{Authority control May, Months, *05