May

{{short description|Fifth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars}}

{{About|the month}}

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{{Calendar}}

May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days.

May is a month of spring 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) and Canada (Victoria Day) that ends on Labor Day, the first Monday of September.

May (in Latin, Maius) was 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).

File:Podophyllum peltatum Shenks Ferry 2.jpg

File:Lady of the Rosary altar, Inner City Parish Church, 2016 Budapest.jpg

Eta Aquariids 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 also shower at various dates in May.

Ancient Roman observances

Under the calendar of ancient Rome, the festival of Bona Dea fell on May 1, Argei fell on May 14 or May 15, Agonalia fell on May 21, and Ambarvalia on May 29. Floralia was held April 27 during the Republican era, or April 28 on the Julian calendar, and lasted until May 3. Lemuria fell on 9,11, and 13 May under the Julian calendar. The College of Aesculapius and Hygia celebrated two festivals of Rosalia, one on May 11 and one on May 22. Rosalia was also celebrated at Pergamon on May 24–26. A military Rosalia festival, Rosaliae signorum, also occurred on May 31. Ludi Fabarici was celebrated May 29 – June 1. Mercury would receive a sacrifice on the Ides of May (May 15). Tubilustrium took place on May 23 as well as in March. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

Symbols

File:Hooker emerald.jpg brooch]]May's birthstone is the emerald, which is emblematic of love and success. Birth flowers are the Lily of the Valley and Crataegus monogyna.{{cite web|url=http://www.shgresources.com/gems/birthflowers/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911093344/http://www.shgresources.com/gems/birthflowers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-11|title=U101 College Search|work=shgresources.com}} 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.

File:Lily of the valley.jpg]]

File:Crataegus-monogyna.JPG]]

File:Trailing arbutus.jpgThe "Mayflower" Epigaea repens is a North American harbinger of May, and the floral emblem of both Nova Scotia and Massachusetts. 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 signs are Taurus (until May 20) and Gemini (May 21 onward).The Earth passed the junction of the signs at 13:49 UT/GMT May 20, 2020, and will pass it again at 19:37 UT/GMT May 20, 2021.{{citation |title=Astrology Calendar |url=https://www.yourzodiacsign.com/calendar/ |website=yourzodiacsign |access-date=2020-03-29 |archive-date=2020-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329204306/https://www.yourzodiacsign.com/calendar/ |url-status=live }}. Signs in UT/GMT for 1950–2030.

Observances

= Month-long =

  • Working class history month
  • Better Hearing and Speech Month{{cite web|url=http://www.asha.org/bhsm/|title=May is Better Hearing & Speech Month|work=asha.org|access-date=2015-05-11|archive-date=2015-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508235337/http://asha.org/bhsm/|url-status=live}}
  • In Catholic tradition, May is the Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary. See May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Flores de Mayo (Philippines)
  • Celiac Awareness Month
  • Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month{{cite web|url=https://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/CFAwareness/|title=Raise CF Awareness|work=cff.org|access-date=2014-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419025234/https://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/CFAwareness/|archive-date=2014-04-19|url-status=dead}}
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness month{{cite web|url=http://www.lifewitheds.com/2013/03/what-can-i-do-for-may-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-awareness-month.html|title=What Can I Do for May Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month?|website=www.lifewitheds.com|access-date=2016-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420172932/http://www.lifewitheds.com/2013/03/what-can-i-do-for-may-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-awareness-month.html|archive-date=2016-04-20|url-status=dead}}
  • Garden for Wildlife month{{cite web|url=http://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Garden-Month.aspx|title=May is Garden for Wildlife Month|work=nwf.org|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603211950/http://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Garden-Month.aspx|url-status=dead}}
  • Huntington's Disease Awareness Month (International){{cite web|url=https://www.hda.org.uk/get-involved/awareness-month-may-2019|title=Raising awareness of Huntington's Disease|access-date=2019-05-02|archive-date=2019-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502093540/https://www.hda.org.uk/get-involved/awareness-month-may-2019|url-status=dead}}
  • International Mediterranean Diet Month{{cite web|url=http://oldwayspt.org/programs/mediterranean-foods-alliance/national-mediterranean-diet-month|title=International Mediterranean Diet Month|work=oldwayspt.org|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624005933/http://oldwayspt.org/programs/mediterranean-foods-alliance/national-mediterranean-diet-month|url-status=live}}
  • Kaamatan harvest festival (Labuan, Sabah)
  • New Zealand Music Month (New Zealand){{cite web|url=http://www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/|title=NZ Music Month 2015 — Official Site|author=Cactuslab|work=nzmusicmonth.co.nz|access-date=2015-05-12|archive-date=2012-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508130816/http://www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/|url-status=live}}
  • National Pet Month (United Kingdom){{cite web|url=http://nationalpetmonth.org.uk/|title=National Pet Month – promoting responsible pet ownership across the UK|work=nationalpetmonth.org.uk|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519062311/http://www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk/|url-status=live}}
  • National Smile Month (United Kingdom)
  • Season of Emancipation (April 14 to August 23) (Barbados)
  • Skin Cancer Awareness Month{{cite web|url=http://www.skincancer.org/media-and-press/Press-Release-2011/skin-cancer-awareness-month-reminder|title=Skin Cancer Awareness Month Reminder|work=skincancer.org|access-date=2015-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511012232/http://www.skincancer.org/media-and-press/Press-Release-2011/skin-cancer-awareness-month-reminder|archive-date=2015-05-11|url-status=dead}}
  • South Asian Heritage Month (International)
  • World Trade Month{{cite web|url=http://trade.gov/worldtrademonth/|title=World Trade Month|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721024042/http://www.trade.gov/worldtrademonth/|archive-date=2014-07-21|url-status=dead}}

== United States ==

File:Mental Health Awareness Month.jpg

  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  • National ALS Awareness Month
  • Bicycle Month
  • National Brain Tumor Awareness Month{{cite web|url=http://www.MilesForHope.org|title=Miles for Hope is now Brain Tumor Alliance|author=Frank Ranieri|work=milesforhope.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415093348/http://www.milesforhope.org/|archive-date=2013-04-15}}
  • National Burger Month{{cite web|url=http://nationalhamburgermonth.com/ |title=Hamburgers and Purifiers for All | we really do eat massive hamburgers! |access-date=2014-05-28 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517184553/https://nationalhamburgermonth.com/ |archive-date=2014-05-17 }}{{cite web |title=Denver's Best Burgers – Celebrate National Burger Month with the Mile High City's 25 tastiest beef-and-bun combos. |url=https://www.5280.com/2018/05/denvers-best-burgers/ |website=5280 Magazine |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424181414/https://www.5280.com/2018/05/denvers-best-burgers/ |url-status=live }}
  • Community Action Awareness Month (North Dakota){{cite web|url=http://governor.nd.gov/media-center/proclamation/community-action-awareness-month-3|title=Community Action Awareness Month|work=nd.gov|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093816/http://governor.nd.gov/media-center/proclamation/community-action-awareness-month-3|archive-date=2015-05-18}}
  • National Electrical Safety Month{{cite web|url=http://esfi.org/|title=Electrical Safety Foundation International|work=esfi.org|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531180316/http://www.esfi.org/|url-status=live}}
  • National Foster Care Month{{cite web|url=https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/|title=National Foster Care Month 2015: Building Blocks Toward Permanent Families|work=childwelfare.gov|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517101654/https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/|url-status=live}}
  • National Golf Month{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalgolfmonth.com/|title=National Golf Month at Mipins|work=nationalgolfmonth.com|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606192502/http://www.nationalgolfmonth.com/|url-status=live}}
  • Jewish American Heritage Month
  • Haitian Heritage Month
  • Hepatitis Awareness Month{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HepAwarenessMonth.htm|title=May is Hepatitis Awareness Month|work=cdc.gov|date=2 April 2021|access-date=10 September 2017|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811002612/https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hepawarenessmonth.htm|url-status=live}}
  • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • National Military Appreciation Month{{cite web|url=http://www.nmam.org/cr328.htm|title=NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH 2005|work=nmam.org|access-date=2009-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914134615/http://www.nmam.org/cr328.htm|archive-date=2008-09-14|url-status=dead}}
  • National Moving Month{{Cite book | last = McGuire | first = Holly | author2 = Keil, Kathryn | title = Chase's 2010 Calendar of Events | publisher = McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc | year = 2010 | url = http://www.answers.com/topic/national-moving-month | access-date = 2010-03-31 | archive-date = 2010-07-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100705124302/http://www.answers.com/topic/national-moving-month | url-status = live }}
  • National Osteoporosis Month{{cite web|url=http://nof.org/|title=National Osteoporosis Foundation|work=nof.org|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606082124/http://nof.org/|url-status=live}}
  • National Stroke Awareness Month{{cite web|url=http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=awareness|title=Stroke Awareness Resource Center|work=Stroke.org|access-date=2013-05-20|archive-date=2013-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508193054/http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=awareness|url-status=live}}
  • National Water Safety Month{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org/|title=National Water Safety Month|work=nationalwatersafetymonth.org|access-date=2014-05-28|archive-date=2014-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517192739/http://nationalwatersafetymonth.org/|url-status=live}}
  • Older Americans Month[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=109-s20050511-21 GovTrack.us: Tracking the U.S. Congress]{{dead link|date=May 2016}}

= Non-Gregorian =

(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.)

= Movable, 2019 =

  • Phi Ta Khon (Dan Sai, Loei province, Isan, Thailand) Dates are selected by village mediums and can take place anywhere between March and July.
  • National Small Business Week (United States): May 5 – 11{{Cite web|title=National Small Business Week Virtual Summit|url=https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week|access-date=2021-07-28|website=National Small Business Week Virtual Summit|language=en|archive-date=2021-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728041715/https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week|url-status=live}}
  • National Hurricane Preparedness Week (United States): May 5 – 11{{Cite web|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|title=Social Media: Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 5-11, 2019|url=https://www.weather.gov/wrn/2019-social-media-hpw|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.weather.gov|language=EN-US|archive-date=2021-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618085548/https://www.weather.gov/wrn/2019-social-media-hpw|url-status=live}}
  • New Zealand Sign Language Week: May 6 – 12{{Cite web |url=http://deaf.org.nz/nzslw |title=New Zealand Sign Language Week |access-date=2018-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035838/http://deaf.org.nz/nzslw |archive-date=2018-05-06 |url-status=dead }}
  • Green Office Week (Britain, United States): May 13 – 17{{Cite web|title=green office week|url=http://www.fs.usda.gov/fs-tags/green-office-week|access-date=2021-07-28|website=US Forest Service|language=en|archive-date=2021-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022033136/https://www.fs.usda.gov/fs-tags/green-office-week|url-status=live}}
  • Walk Safely to School Day (Australia): May 17{{Cite web|title=Walk Safely to School Day, 2020|url=https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/walk-event/walk-safely-school-day-2020/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Walking SA|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728172820/https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/walk-event/walk-safely-school-day-2020/|url-status=live}}
  • Emergency Medical Services Week (United States): May 19 – 25{{Cite web|title=EMS Week|url=https://www.acep.org/administration/ems-resources/emsweek/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.acep.org|language=en|archive-date=2021-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729043756/https://www.acep.org/administration/ems-resources/emsweek/|url-status=live}}
  • Bike to Work Week Victoria (May 27 – June 2){{cite web|url=https://www.biketowork.ca/victoria/btww-2019|title=2019 Greater Victoria Bike to Work Week|website=Go By Bike BC|access-date=2019-05-01|archive-date=2019-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501123015/https://www.biketowork.ca/victoria/btww-2019|url-status=dead}}

== Western Christian ==

Labour Day: May 1

Sunday after Divine Mercy Sunday: May 5

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

Fourth Sunday after Easter: May 12

Fourth Friday after Easter: May 17

Third Sunday of May: May 19

Sunday preceding the Rogation days: May 26

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday preceding Feast of the Ascension: May 27–29

39 days after Easter: May 30

== Eastern Christian ==

Wednesday after Pascha: May 1

Thursday after Pascha: May 2

Friday after Pascha: May 3

Saturday after Pascha: May 4

8th day after Pascha: May 5

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

2nd Sunday following Pascha: May 12

4th Sunday of Pascha: May 26

Wednesday after the Sunday of the Paralytic: May 29

=Movable civic=

== Last Friday in April to the first Sunday in May ==

== First Thursday ==

== First Saturday ==

=== First Sunday ===

== First full week ==

=== Tuesday of First full week ===

=== Wednesday of first full week ===

== Second week in May ==

== First Tuesday ==

== Friday preceding Second Sunday in May ==

== Saturday closest to May 10 ==

== Second Saturday ==

== Second Weekend ==

== Second Sunday ==

== Week of [[May 12]] ==

== Third Weekend, including Friday ==

== Third Friday ==

  • Arbour Day (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
  • National Defense Transportation Day
  • Endangered Species Day (United States){{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/esday/|title=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Endangered Species Day|author=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|work=fws.gov|access-date=2015-05-15|archive-date=2015-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509114742/http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/esday/|url-status=dead}}
  • National Pizza Party Day (United States){{cite web|url=http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-pizza-party-day-third-friday-in-may/|title=NATIONAL PIZZA PARTY DAY – Third Friday in May|work=National Day Calendar|date=4 February 2024|access-date=15 May 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092044/http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-pizza-party-day-third-friday-in-may/|url-status=live}}

== Third Saturday ==

== Third Sunday ==

== Monday on or before May 24 ==

== Third Monday ==

== Monday on or before May 25 ==

== Last Monday preceding May 25 ==

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

== Saturday closest to May 30 ==

== Last Weekend ==

== Last Sunday ==

== Last Monday ==

== Last Wednesday ==

== Last Thursday ==

= Fixed =

File:Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry mai.jpg]]

File:Mai Leandro Bassano.jpg]]

File:Rosa chinensis.jpg, the flower symbol of May]]

See also

References

{{Reflist}}