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), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a ...

in the Northern Hemisphere, and

autumn Autumn, also known as fall in American English and Canadian English, is one of the four temperate seasons on Earth. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September ( Northern Hemisphere) or March ( Sou ...

in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, May in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of

November November is the eleventh and penultimate month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars, the fourth and last of four months to have a length of 30 days and the fifth and last of five months to have a length of fewer than 31 days. No ...

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 Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United St ...

, 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 ''Maius'' or ''mensis Maius'' (May) was the third month of the ancient Roman calendar, following ''Aprilis'' (April) and preceding ''Iunius'' (June). On the oldest Roman calendar that had begun with March, it was the third of ten months in the year ...

'') 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 A goddess is a female deity. In many known cultures, goddesses are often linked with literal or metaphorical pregnancy or imagined feminine roles associated with how women and girls are perceived or expected to behave. This includes themes of s ...

of fertility,

Bona Dea Bona Dea (; 'Good Goddess') was a List of Roman deities, goddess in Religion in ancient Rome, ancient Roman religion. She was associated with chastity and fertility in Women in ancient Rome, Roman women, healing, and the protection of the SPQR, st ...

, 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 c ...

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 The Arietids are a strong meteor shower that lasts from May 22 to July 2 each year, and peaks on June 7. The Arietids, along with the Zeta Perseids, are the most intense daylight meteor showers of the year. The source of the shower is unknown, but ...

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 The rituals of the Argei were archaic religious observances in ancient Rome that took place on March 16 and March 17, and again on May 14 or May 15. By the time of Augustus, the meaning of these rituals had become obscure even to those who practi ...

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 Pompi ...

fell on May 21, and

Ambarvalia Ambarvalia was a Roman agricultural fertility rite held on 29 May in honor of Ceres and Dea Dia. At these festivals they sacrificed a bull, a sow, and a sheep, which, before the sacrifice, were led in procession thrice around the fields; whence t ...

on May 29.

Floralia The Floralia was a festival in ancient Roman religious practice in honor of the goddess Flora, held April 27 during the Republican era, or April 28 in the Julian calendar. The festival included ''Ludi Florae'', the "Games of Flora", which lasted ...

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 Re ...

, 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) The Lemuralia or Lemuria was an annual event in the religion of ancient Rome, during which the Romans performed rites to exorcise any malevolent and fearful ghosts of the restless dead from their homes. These unwholesome spectres, the ''lemure ...

fell on 9,11, and 13 May under the Julian calendar. The

College of Aesculapius and Hygia The College of Aesculapius and Hygia was an association ''(collegium)'' founded in the mid-2nd century AD by a wealthy Roman woman named Salvia Marcellina, in honor of her dead husband and the procurator for whom he had worked. It is known from a l ...

celebrated two festivals of

Rosalia (festival) In the Roman Empire, Rosalia or Rosaria was a festival of roses celebrated on various dates, primarily in May, but scattered through mid-July. The observance is sometimes called a ''rosatio'' ("rose-adornment") or the ''dies rosationis'', "day ...

, 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 Greece, ancient Greek city in Mysia. It is located from the modern coastline of the Aegean Sea on a ...

on May 24–26. A military Rosalia festival,

Rosaliae signorum In the Roman Empire, Rosalia or Rosaria was a festival of roses celebrated on various dates, primarily in May, but scattered through mid-July. The observance is sometimes called a ''rosatio'' ("rose-adornment") or the ''dies rosationis'', "day o ...

, also occurred on May 31. Ludi Fabarici was celebrated on May 29 – June 1.

Mercury Mercury commonly refers to: * Mercury (planet), the nearest planet to the Sun * Mercury (element), a metallic chemical element with the symbol Hg * Mercury (mythology), a Roman god Mercury or The Mercury may also refer to: Companies * Merc ...

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 t ...

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 Emerald is a gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium or sometimes vanadium.Hurlbut, Cornelius S. Jr. and Kammerling, Robert C. (1991) ''Gemology'', John Wiley & Sons, New York, p ...

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 language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...

. 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 Sun path, apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. ...

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 taurus ...

(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 Northern ...

(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 Coeliac disease (British English) or celiac disease (American English) is a long-term autoimmune disorder, primarily affecting the small intestine, where individuals develop intolerance to gluten, present in foods such as wheat, rye and barl ...

Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus as a result of frequent lung infections. O ...

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 unst ...

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 rel ...

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 capit ...

Sabah Sabah () is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, 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 Indone ...

) * 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 Campaign Is Coordinated By Nati ...

(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 Native Americans in the United States, indigenous Dakota people, Dakota Sioux. North Dakota is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north a ...

) * 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 pa ...

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 Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass, micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility, and consequent increase in fracture risk. It is the most common reason for a broken bone ...

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 A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to: People * List (surname) Organizations * List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America * SC Germania List, German rugby union ...

List of observances set by the Chinese calendar The traditional Chinese holidays are an essential part of harvests or prayer offerings. The most important Chinese holiday is the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), which is also celebrated in overseas ethnic Chinese communities (for example in ...

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 provin ...

, 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 territorie ...

): 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 Green Office Week is a British annual awareness week that encourages workers across the UK to make small changes to their working habits to positively impact the environment. The week raises awareness of key green issues, providing office workers w ...

(

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 varyin ...

(

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

): 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 o ...

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 Whitsuntide ...

(

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 Store bededag, translated literally as Great Prayer Day or more loosely as General Prayer Day, "All Prayers" Day, Great Day of Prayers or Common Prayer Day, is a Public holidays in Denmark, Danish holiday celebrated on the 4th Friday after Easter. ...

(

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 = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

) 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 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 ...

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 ...

Father's Day Father's Day is a holiday of honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated on 19 March as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. In the United ...

(Germany) **

Festa della Sensa The Fèsta de ƚa Sènsa was a feast of the Republic of Venice held on the occasion of the feast of the Ascension (in the Venetian language, Sensa) and still celebrated as a recreation today. It commemorated two significant dates in the Republic' ...

(

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...

) ** Global Day of Prayer ** Sheep Festival (

Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...

)

Movable Eastern Christian observances This is a chronological list of moveable Eastern Christian observances. Most of these are calculated by the date of Pascha. It includes secular observances which are calculated by religious observances. ''This list does not necessarily imply eithe ...
, 2020 dates

Wednesday after Pascha: May 1 *

Bright Wednesday Bright Week, Pascha Week or Renewal Week ( el, Διακαινήσιμος Ἑβδομάς) is the name used by the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches for the period of seven days beginning on Easter and continuing up to (but n ...

Thursday after Pascha: May 2 * Bright Thursday Friday after Pascha: May 3 *

Bright Friday Easter Friday, or Bright Friday, is the Friday after the Christianity, Christian festival of Easter. At times, this name has been confused with Good Friday,For example, the songEaster Friday" by Simone Richardson, 2006. Published by Emu Music ...

Saturday after Pascha: May 4 *

Bright Saturday Easter Saturday, on the Christian calendar, is the Saturday following the festival of Easter, the Saturday of Easter or Bright Week. In the liturgy of Western Christianity it is the last day of Easter Week, sometimes referred to as the Saturd ...

8th day after Pascha: May 5 *

Thomas Sunday The Second Sunday of Easter is the day that occurs seven days after the Christian celebration of Easter. Those churches which give special significance to this day recognize it by various names. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, this day is ...

2nd Tuesday of Pascha, or 2nd Monday of Pascha, depending on region: May 6 or May 7 *

Radonitsa Radonitsa (Russian Радоница, "Day of Rejoicing"), also spelled Radunitsa, Radonica, or Radunica, in the Russian Orthodox Church is a commemoration of the departed observed on the second Tuesday of Pascha (Easter) or, in some places (in sou ...

(

Russian Orthodox Russian Orthodoxy (russian: Русское православие) is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, whose liturgy is or was traditionally conducted in Church Slavonic language. Most ...

) 2nd Sunday following Pascha: May 12 * Sunday of the Myrrhbearers 4th Sunday of Pascha: May 26 * Sunday of the Paralytic Wednesday after the Sunday of the Paralytic: May 29 *

Mid-Pentecost Mid-Pentecost or Midfeast, also Meso-Pentecost (from gr, Μεσοπεντηκοστή); russian: Преполове́ние Пятидеся́тницы is a feast day which occurs during the Paschal season in the Eastern Orthodox Church and tho ...

Non-religious and civic observances with movable dates

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

* National Arbour Week (

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

)

First Thursday: May 2

* Arbour Day (

) *

National Day of Prayer The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". The president is required by law () to sign a ...

(

) *

National Day of Reason The National Day of Reason is a secular celebration for humanists, atheists, secularists, and freethinkers. The day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday in May, in response to the statutory observance of a National Day of Prayer in th ...

(United States)

First Saturday: May 4

Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The competition is a Grade I stakes race for three-year ...

(moved to September 5, 2020) *

Free Comic Book Day Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is an annual promotional effort by the North American comic book industry to attract new readers to independent comic book stores. It usually takes place on the first Saturday of May and is often cross-promoted wit ...

Green Up Day Green Up Day, observed annually on the first Saturday of May, is a statewide effort in the US state of Vermont to clean up roadside trash. History The first official Green Up Day was held on April 18, 1970, after having been formalized by Go ...

(

Vermont Vermont () is a state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to ...

) *

World Naked Gardening Day World Naked Gardening Day (WNGD) is an annual international event generally celebrated on the first Saturday of May by gardening, gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Organization WNGD was founded and organized by Mark Storey (consulting editor ...

= First Sunday: May 5

= *

Mother's Day Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the ...

(

Angola , national_anthem = " Angola Avante"() , image_map = , map_caption = , capital = Luanda , religion = , religion_year = 2020 , religion_ref = , coordina ...

Cape Verde , national_anthem = () , official_languages = Portuguese , national_languages = Cape Verdean Creole , capital = Praia , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , demonym ...

Hungary Hungary ( hu, Magyarország ) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning of the Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia a ...

Lithuania Lithuania (; lt, Lietuva ), officially the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublika, links=no ), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania ...

Mozambique Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi ...

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

) *

World Laughter Day World Laughter Day was established in 1998 and the first celebration was on 10 May 1998, in Mumbai, India, arranged by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. The day is now celebrated on first Sunday of May worldwide. ...

First full week: May 5–11

* National Teacher Appreciation Week (

) *

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week is held every year during the first full week of May to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment (OSH&E) in an effort to prevent workplace injuries and illness ...

= Tuesday of First full week: May 4

= * National Teacher Appreciation Day (

)

= Wednesday of first full week: May 8

= *

Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day Occupational Safety and Health Professional (OSHP) Day recognizes the efforts and commitment of occupational safety, health and environmental professionals to protect people, property and the environment. The American Society of Safety Engineers’ ...

Second week in May: May 5–11

National Stuttering Awareness Week The National Stuttering Awareness Week is an observance in the United States for people who stutter. It was established in 1988, by a President's proclamation as the second week in May in response to the advocacy of the members of the National Stut ...

(

)

First Tuesday: May 7

World Asthma Day World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. World Asthma Day takes place on May 3. The theme of 2021's event was "Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions, ...

Friday preceding Second Sunday in May: May 10

Military Spouse Day Military Spouse Day or Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother's Day in the United States. Many United States citizens take this day to acknowledge the significant contributions, support, and sacrifices of spouse ...

(

) *

National Public Gardens Day National Public Gardens Day, occurring annually on the Friday before Mother's Day, is a day to promote awareness of botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, historic gardens, or any of North America's public gardens. The day was established by the America ...

(United States)

Saturday closest to May 10: May 11

National Train Day National Train Day was a holiday started by Amtrak in 2008 as a method to spread information to the general public about the advantages of railway travel and the history of trains in the United States. It was held each year on the Saturday closest ...

(

)

Second Saturday: May 8

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

Second Weekend: May 11–12

* National Mills Weekend (

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

) *

World Migratory Bird Day Bird Day is the name of several holidays celebrating birds. Various countries observe such a holiday on various dates. International Migratory Bird Day International Migratory Bird Day is a conservation initiative that brings awareness on conse ...

Second Sunday: May 9

* National Nursing Home Week (United States) *

Children's Day Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country. In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...

(Spain) *

(Romania) *

(

Anguilla Anguilla ( ) is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin. The territo ...

, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda,

Bonaire Bonaire (; , ; pap, Boneiru, , almost pronounced ) is a Dutch island in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Its capital is the port of Kralendijk, on the west ( leeward) coast of the island. Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao form the ABC i ...

, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Croatia,

Curaçao Curaçao ( ; ; pap, Kòrsou, ), officially the Country of Curaçao ( nl, Land Curaçao; pap, Pais Kòrsou), is a Lesser Antilles island country in the southern Caribbean Sea and the Dutch Caribbean region, about north of the Venezuela coast ...

, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras,

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...

, 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) * State Flag and State Emblem Day (Belarus) *

World Fair Trade Day The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), is a global association of 401 organizations who are committed to improving the livelihoods of economically marginalised producers. WFTO has members in 76 countries. Members are primarily fair trade enterp ...

Week of
May 12 Events Pre-1600 * 254 – Pope Stephen I succeeds Pope Lucius I, becoming the 23rd pope of the Catholic Church, and immediately takes a stand against Novatianism. * 907 – Zhu Wen forces Emperor Ai into abdicating, ending the Tang d ...
: May 6-12

* National Nursing Week (United States)

Third Weekend, including Friday: May 14-16

Sanja Matsuri , or Sanja Festival, is one of the three largest Shinto festivals in Tokyo. It is considered one of the wildest and largest. The festival is held in honor of Hinokuma Hamanari, Hinokuma Takenari, and Hajino Nakatomo, the three men who established ...

(

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

)

Third Friday: May 21

* Arbour Day (

Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island (PEI; ) is one of the thirteen Provinces and territories of Canada, provinces and territories of Canada. It is the smallest province in terms of land area and population, but the most densely populated. The island has seve ...

, Canada) *

National Defense Transportation Day National Defense Transportation Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed on the third Friday in May. History and definition The observance was first signed into law by President Eisenhower in 1957. According to 36 U.S.C. § 120, o ...

Endangered Species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...

Day (United States) * National Pizza Party Day (United States)

Third Saturday: May 15

* The

Preakness Stakes The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held on Armed Forces Day which is also the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs () on ...

is run, second jewel in the triple crown of horse racing. *

Armed Forces Day (United States) Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Africa Egypt In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 Octob ...

Culture Freedom Day Culture Freedom Day is an observance of free culture. It takes place annually on the third Saturday of May. It aims at educating the worldwide public about the benefits of using and encouraging free culture as well as providing an international da ...

World Whisky Day World Whisky Day was founded in 2012 and falls on the third Saturday of May each year. Founding World Whisky Day was founded in 2012 by Blair Bowman while studying at the University of Aberdeen. Participation Participants are encouraged to d ...

Third Sunday: May 16

Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers Commemoration Day of Fallen Soldiers ( fi, kaatuneitten muistopäivä, sv, de stupades dag) is the commemoration day observed in Finland on the third Sunday of May for the soldiers killed in the Winter War and Finnish Civil War 1918. After 1940 ...

(

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

) * Feast of Our Lady of the Audience *

(

)

Monday on or before May 24: May 24

Victoria Day (Scotland) Victoria Day ( gd, Latha Victoria) is a public holiday in parts of Eastern Central Scotland, chiefly the cities of Dundee and Edinburgh, although it was formerly more widespread. It is celebrated on the last Monday before or on 24 May and commemor ...

Third Monday: May 17

Discovery Day Discovery Day is the name of several holidays commemorating the discovery of land, gold, and other significant national discoveries. The Bahamas The Bahamas Discovery Day was a public holiday on October 12, that celebrated the arrival of Christoph ...

(

Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands () is a self-governing British Overseas Territory—the largest by population in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located to the ...

)

Monday on or before May 25: May 24

National Patriots' Day National Patriots' Day (french: Journée nationale des Patriotes) is a statutory holiday observed annually in the Canadian province of Quebec, on the Monday preceding 25 May. The holiday was established by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec- in- ...

(

Quebec Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...

)

Last Monday preceding May 25: May 24

(

)

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

Bermuda Day Bermuda Day is a public holiday in the islands of Bermuda. It is celebrated on the last Friday in May (previously on 24 May or nearest Monday if that fell on a weekend. From 2018, a decision was made to move it permanently to a Friday). Bermuda ...

(Bermuda)

Saturday closest to May 30: May 29

Armed Forces Day Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Africa Egypt In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October, ...

(Spain)

Last Weekend: May 29–30

Kyiv Day Kyiv Day, or officially the Day of Kyiv ( uk, День Києва), is a holiday in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv Kyiv, also spelled Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. It is in north-central Ukraine along the Dnieper Rive ...

(

Kyiv Kyiv, also spelled Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. It is in north-central Ukraine along the Dnieper, Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2021, its population was 2,962,180, making Kyiv the List of European cities by populat ...

)

Last Sunday: May 30

Arbor Day Arbor Day (or Arbour in some countries) is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, dependi ...

(Venezuela) *

(Hungary) *

(Algeria, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mauritius, Morocco, Sweden, Tunisia) *

Turkmen Carpet Day Public Holidays in Turkmenistan are laid out in the Constitution of Turkmenistan, It acts as a list of nationally recognized public holidays in the country. Main public holidays * New Year's Day (January 1) * International Women's Day (March ...

(Turkmenistan)

Last Monday: May 31

Heroes' Day Heroes' Day or National Heroes' Day may refer to a number of commemorations of national heroes in different countries and territories. It is often held on the birthday of a national hero or heroine, or the anniversary of their great deeds that m ...

(Turks and Caicos Islands) *

(United States), a public holiday, is on

May 30 Events Pre-1600 * 70 – Siege of Jerusalem: Titus and his Roman legions breach the Second Wall of Jerusalem. Jewish defenders retreat to the First Wall. The Romans build a circumvallation, cutting down all trees within fifteen kilometres ...

, but observed on the last Monday in May. *

Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day {{Refimprove, date=December 2006 Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day (commonly known as Ratu Sukuna Day) was a national public holiday in Fiji until the year 2010, when the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, declared both Ratu Sir Lala Sakuna Day an ...

(Fiji), removed as a national holiday in 2010.

Last Wednesday: May 26

* World Multiple Sclerosis Day

Last Thursday: May 27

Take a Girl Child to Work Day Take a Girl Child to Work Day is an annual corporate social investment event, held in South Africa since 2003. Companies involved organise for female learners (school pupils), usually from disadvantaged backgrounds, to spend the day at their pla ...

(South Africa)

Fixed observances in May

April 29 Events Pre-1600 *1091 – Battle of Levounion: The Pechenegs are defeated by Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. * 1386 – Battle of the Vikhra River: The Principality of Smolensk is defeated by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and beco ...

May 5 Events Pre-1600 * 553 – The Second Council of Constantinople begins. *1215 – Rebel barons renounce their allegiance to King John of England — part of a chain of events leading to the signing of the Magna Carta. * 1260 – Ku ...

in Japan, which includes four different holidays, is called " 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 A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compulsor ...

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 **

(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,

) **Birth Anniversary of Third Druk Gyalpo (Bhutan) **Flag Day (Poland) **Indonesia National Education Day * May 3 **Constitution Day (Poland) **Constitution Memorial Day (

) **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 (

) **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) *

(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 **

(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 Events Pre-1600 * 254 – Pope Stephen I succeeds Pope Lucius I, becoming the 23rd pope of the Catholic Church, and immediately takes a stand against Novatianism. * 907 – Zhu Wen forces Emperor Ai into abdicating, ending the Tang d ...

**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) **

(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 (

) **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) **

(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) **

(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 *

**Anguilla Day (

) **Canary Islands Day (Spain) **Indian Arrival Day (Trinidad and Tobago) **Lod Massacre Remembrance Day (Puerto Rico) **

(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