May

Last updated
<< May >>
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31  
2024

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

Contents

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).

Mayapples blooming. Common name given due to the plant's tendency to bloom in the month of May. Podophyllum peltatum Shenks Ferry 2.jpg
Mayapples blooming. Common name given due to the plant's tendency to bloom in the month of May.
Special devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary take place in May Lady of the Rosary altar, Inner City Parish Church, 2016 Budapest.jpg
Special devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary take place in May

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 ]

Symbols

Emerald brooch Hooker emerald.jpg
Emerald 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 . [1] 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 Lily of the Valley Lily of the valley.jpg
The Lily of the Valley
Crataegus monogyna Crataegus-monogyna.JPG
Crataegus monogyna
Mayflowers Trailing arbutus.jpg
Mayflowers

The "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). [2] [3]

Observances

Month-long

United States

The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness. Mental Health Awareness Month.jpg
The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness.

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

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

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

May, from the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry Les Tres Riches Heures du duc de Berry mai.jpg
May, from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
May, Leandro Bassano Mai Leandro Bassano.jpg
May, Leandro Bassano
Rosa chinensis, the flower symbol of May Rosa chinensis.jpg
Rosa chinensis, the flower symbol of May

See also

Related Research Articles

April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Its length is 30 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">August</span> Eighth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars

August is the eighth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">December</span> Twelfth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars

December is the twelfth and final month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easter</span> Christian commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus

Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.

February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The month has 28 days in common years and 29 in leap years, with the 29th day being called the leap day. February is the third and last month of meteorological winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, February is the third and last month of meteorological summer.

January is the first month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days. The first day of the month is known as New Year's Day. It is, on average, the coldest month of the year within most of the Northern Hemisphere and the warmest month of the year within most of the Southern Hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, January is the seasonal equivalent of July in the Northern hemisphere and vice versa.

July is the seventh month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honour of Roman general Julius Caesar in 44 B.C., being the month of his birth. Before then it was called Quintilis, being the fifth month of the calendar that started with March.

March is the third month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days. In the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological beginning of spring occurs on the first day of March. The March equinox on the 20 or 21 marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, where September is the seasonal equivalent of the Northern Hemisphere's March.

November is the eleventh and penultimate month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 30 days. November was the ninth month of the calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC. November retained its name when January and February were added to the Roman calendar. November is a month of late spring in the Southern Hemisphere and late autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, November in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of May in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa. In Ancient Rome, Ludi Plebeii was held from November 4–17, Epulum Jovis was held on November 13 and Brumalia celebrations began on November 24. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">October</span> Tenth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars

October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days. The eighth month in the old calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC, October retained its name after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the Romans. In Ancient Rome, one of three Mundus patet would take place on October 5, Meditrinalia October 11, Augustalia on October 12, October Horse on October 15, and Armilustrium on October 19. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar. Among the Anglo-Saxons, it was known as Winterfylleth (Ƿinterfylleþ), because at this full moon, winter was supposed to begin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">September</span> Ninth month in the Gregorian and Julian calendars

September is the ninth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and interchangeably the ninth or tenth month in the less commonly used Julian calendar. In the modern Gregorian calendar, its length is 30 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liturgical year</span> Annually recurring fixed sequence of Christian feast days

The liturgical year, also called the church year, Christian year, ecclesiastical calendar, or kalendar, consists of the cycle of liturgical days and seasons that determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of scripture are to be read.

Quartodecimanism is the name given to the practice of celebrating the death of Christ on the day of Passover, the 14th of Nisan according to biblical dating, on whatever day of the week it occurs. The Quartodeciman controversy in the Church was the question of whether to celebrate Easter on Sunday, or Passover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public holidays in Russia</span>

The following is the list of official public holidays recognized by the Government of Russia. On these days, government offices, embassies and some shops, are closed. If the date of observance falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be a day off in lieu of the holiday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feast of the Ascension</span> Christian commemoration

The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ commemorates the Christian belief of the bodily Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. It is one of the ecumenical feasts of Christian churches, ranking with the feasts of the Passion and Pentecost. Following the account of Acts 1:3 that the risen Jesus appeared for 40 days prior to his Ascension, Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter according to inclusive counting, although some Christian denominations have moved the observance to the following Sunday, sometimes called Ascension Sunday. The day of observance varies by ecclesiastical province in many Christian denominations, as with Methodists and Catholics, for example.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentecostarion</span> Liturgical book in Eastern Christianity

The Pentecostarion is the liturgical book used by the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches during the Paschal Season which extends from Pascha (Easter) to the Sunday following All Saints Sunday.

Lists of holidays by various categorizations.

The following are 11 public holidays in Ukraine.

References

  1. "U101 College Search". shgresources.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-11.
  2. 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.
  3. "Astrology Calendar", yourzodiacsign, archived from the original on 2020-03-29, retrieved 2020-03-29. Signs in UT/GMT for 1950–2030.
  4. "May is Better Hearing & Speech Month". asha.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-08. Retrieved 2015-05-11.
  5. "Raise CF Awareness". cff.org. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  6. "What Can I Do for May Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month?". www.lifewitheds.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  7. "May is Garden for Wildlife Month". nwf.org. Archived from the original on 2014-06-03. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  8. "Raising awareness of Huntington's Disease". Archived from the original on 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  9. "International Mediterranean Diet Month". oldwayspt.org. Archived from the original on 2014-06-24. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  10. Cactuslab. "NZ Music Month 2015 — Official Site". nzmusicmonth.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
  11. "National Pet Month – promoting responsible pet ownership across the UK". nationalpetmonth.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-05-19. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  12. "Skin Cancer Awareness Month Reminder". skincancer.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2015-05-11.
  13. "World Trade Month". Archived from the original on 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  14. Frank Ranieri. "Miles for Hope is now Brain Tumor Alliance". milesforhope.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15.
  15. "Hamburgers and Purifiers for All | we really do eat massive hamburgers!". Archived from the original on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  16. "Denver's Best Burgers – Celebrate National Burger Month with the Mile High City's 25 tastiest beef-and-bun combos". 5280 Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  17. "Community Action Awareness Month". nd.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18.
  18. "Electrical Safety Foundation International". esfi.org. Archived from the original on 2014-05-31. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  19. "National Foster Care Month 2015: Building Blocks Toward Permanent Families". childwelfare.gov. Archived from the original on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  20. "National Golf Month at Mipins". nationalgolfmonth.com. Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  21. "May is Hepatitis Awareness Month". cdc.gov. 2 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  22. "NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH 2005". nmam.org. Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  23. McGuire, Holly; Keil, Kathryn (2010). Chase's 2010 Calendar of Events. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-07-05. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  24. "National Osteoporosis Foundation". nof.org. Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  25. "Stroke Awareness Resource Center". Stroke.org. Archived from the original on 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  26. "National Water Safety Month". nationalwatersafetymonth.org. Archived from the original on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  27. GovTrack.us: Tracking the U.S. Congress [ dead link ]
  28. "National Small Business Week Virtual Summit". National Small Business Week Virtual Summit. Archived from the original on 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  29. US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Social Media: Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 5-11, 2019". www.weather.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  30. "New Zealand Sign Language Week". Archived from the original on 2018-05-06. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  31. "green office week". US Forest Service. Archived from the original on 2021-10-22. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  32. "Walk Safely to School Day, 2020". Walking SA. Archived from the original on 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  33. "EMS Week". www.acep.org. Archived from the original on 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  34. "2019 Greater Victoria Bike to Work Week". Go By Bike BC. Archived from the original on 2019-05-01. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  35. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Endangered Species Day". fws.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-05-09. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  36. "NATIONAL PIZZA PARTY DAY – Third Friday in May". National Day Calendar . 4 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  37. "Маевки". homofestivus.ru. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  38. "Ceremony at "Wedding of the Rails," May 10, 1869 at Promontory Point, Utah". World Digital Library . 1869-05-10. Archived from the original on 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  39. "IDAHOT Forum 2018 - Lisboa | From global to local politics: Equality everywhere, for everyone". www.cig.gov.pt. 10 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2020-03-07. Retrieved 2019-12-14.