According to Wikipedia, May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. May is a month of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore May in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of November in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa.
The month May has been named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May. Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for “elders,” and that the following month (June) is named for the iuniores, or “young people” (Fasti VI.88).
In both common Western calendrical systems, no other month begins on the same day of the week as May. This month and June are the only two months that have this trait, though the first day of August in a common year and the first day of October in a leap year are also unique. No other month ends on the same day of the week as May.
May Historical Dates
May General Observances
Be Kind to Animals Month
Clean Air Month
Go Fetch! Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month
National Pet Month (mainly recognized in U.K., but also seen in U.S.)
Older Americans Month
May 17 – May 23 National Dog Bite Prevention Week (3rd week) [AVMA]
Second Sunday in May – Mother’s Day
May 1 May Day
May 2 International Day of Deliberately Unemployed
May 3 – May 9 National Pet Week (1st week) [AVMA]
May 4 Respect for Chickens Day (Check out this funny sonnet for Chickens)
May 4 Star Wars Day, a.k.a. Luke Skywalker Day
May 4 International Firefighters’ Day
May 5 International Midwives Day
May 8 World Red Cross
May 8 Red Crescent Day
May 12 International Nurses Day
May 13 Frog Jumping Day
May 14 Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (2nd Saturday)
May 14 International Migratory Bird Day (2nd Saturday)
May 15 Hug Your Cat Day
May 15 International Day of Families
May 18 International Museum Day
May 23 World Turtle Day
May 25 Geek Pride Day
May 31 World No Tobacco Day