May is full of holidays and special days. Throughout the month you have May Day to
Memorial Day. There are holidays for
mothers, workers, and teachers. It can
be a festive month which also marks the end of the school year. From start to finish, below are some notable
special days:
May 1 – May Day
Celebrated as the unofficial start of spring, festivals and
parades are common across the globe. The
use of flowers and the May pole are traditions.
May 1 – International Worker’s Day
To commemorate the 1886 Haymakers’ affair in Chicago, over
80 countries observe the 1st of May as a national holiday to celebrate
the workers. The Haymakers were able to
secure an eight hour workday and improve the safety and treatment of the
workers. Over the years the activities
have been led by socialist, communist or anarchist groups. The original intent was to recognize the rights
of the workers and their safety and financial security. Unfortunately, the day has also been full of
riots and destructive parades. In
Seattle this year 17 people were arrested for various reasons including the
destruction of property when someone through a skateboard through a Walgreen
window. 8 police officers were injured
as they attempted to break up the anarchy.
These often violent protests have occurred in many places annually.
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
Possibly the most misunderstood holiday. Most Americans assume Cinco de Mayo is the
celebration of Mexico’s independence.
They are all wrong. The national
holiday in Mexico recognizing their independence is September 16th. Cinco de Mayo is not even a national holiday
in Mexico. It is primarily celebrated in
the province of Puebla. In 1862 the French
decided to invade Mexico and make it a territory. Before the French made their way to Mexico
City, they met a ragtag group of Mexican citizens which fought and defeated the
superior troops.
While the town of Puebla commemorates the day, it is not a
big holiday throughout Mexico. The
commercialization as well as a tie into the Civil War has elevated this holiday
in the United States.
May 7th – National Teachers Day
It is not a national holiday, but more of a day to recognize
the people who take on the profession of educating the youth of our country. I personally do not need a day of
recognition. Working with all of you
each day is all the thanks I need.
May 9 – The Ascension of Jesus
40 days after the resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate His Ascension
into heaven. The description of the Ascension
can be found in Luke 24:50-53 and Mark 16:19.
A more detailed description can be found in Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11.
May 12th – Mother’s Day
Circle this day on your calendar each year. Our mothers do more for each of us than we could
ever imagine. They are your biggest
fan. They work tirelessly to provide you
with a great life. They are selfless,
generous, caring, and deserve to be celebrated every day of the year. Make certain to give your mom something
special to let her know how much you love and appreciate her. Make sure you give her a hug and tell her you
love her. 
May 18 – Armed Forces Day
This is a day to thank the members of the Army, Navy, Air
Force, and Marine Corps for their patriotic support and defense of our
nation. The day was initiated by
President Harry S. Truman.
May 19 – Pentecost
This is a Catholic holiday celebrating the gift of the Holy
Spirit to the disciples of Jesus.
May 27 – Memorial Day
As you can read, May has a holiday for everyone. Which May holiday do you enjoy the most? Do you have any special traditions with any
holidays above? Were you surprised by
any of the holidays? If you could create
a holiday, what would it be and why?
Patrick- The holiday in May I enjoy the most is probably Cinco de Mayo because I eat a lot of Mexican food. I don't really have any traditions though. I was surprised by the armed forces day because i always thought we should have that day and all along we have. If i could create a holiday it would have to be candy day, where all the candy at stores was free.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- I think the holiday that I like the most is Memorial Day, because we get to get out of school and some people have their flags raised at half-mast at their home(if they have one) so when you drive by, you get to see everyone's flags. When Nate was in Boy Scouts, we used to go to the cemeteries and place flags and flowers around the cemetery. But now we only raise our flag at half-mast that we have at home. I was suprised by Armed Forces Day, because I'd never heard of it before. If I could create a holiday, I would probably create a National Music Day. It has probably been created already, but it would be really fun to just play music in the streets, in restaurants, and everywhere really. I think that that would be fun! I love to play and listen to music, so I think it would be a great idea!
ReplyDeleteNikita- I think Mother's Day and Teacher's Day (and we do recognize you anyways, Mr. Grant!) are good days because it is nice to celebrate some of the main people who help you through life. I don't have any specific holidays except that we celebrate Mother's Day and try to give mom a break. I was a little surprised that there were so many and that Cinco de Mayo isn't actually celebrated in Mexico. If I could create a holiday, it'd probably be a day were we could do things that we are not really supposed to do, like run around school or climb on cars or jump onto stuff and things like that. It'd be a day were you could break all those rules that are based on common sense and having manners in public. It'd be so much fun!!!
ReplyDeletePetie- I probably like Armed Forces day the most because it recognizes those who fought for our country. My brother is probably going into the military, so it is a really special one. I don't think that we have any special traditions except that sometimes we have mexican food on Cinco de Mayo. We also have a tradition on Mother's day of going out to brunch, and giving mom a break from everything. I usually cook and help clean, and Clay and Cole do the laundry and help clean up, too. Todd just sits around and says that he is the youngest, and doesn't have to do any of this stuff. I am not really surprised by any of these, a sI have probably done a celebration or recognition at least once for each of the holidays. I would probably have a Music Day, because that is a thing that really deserves a lot more attention.
ReplyDeleteGrace- I like Mother's Day just because I think it is really important to thank our mothers for everything that they do for us. I don't really have any special traditions with any of the holidays. Sometimes my family goes out of town Memorial Day weekend, but that's about it. This year for May Day I helped my dad to ding-dong-ditch my mom and leave her a huge pot of flowers. Of course she knew it was us! A lot of the holidays are commemorating a group of people like mothers, teachers, workers and Army/Navy/Air Force/Marine Corps members. If I could create a holiday it would be No Electronics Day. I think it would be a challenge to go a whole day with no computers, phones, iPods, or TVs. I think that's something this era of people need. We're so attached to electronics! Oh and no video games either. This day would have to be on a Saturday/Sunday in the summer because if it's a weekend, you don't have to worry about work. If it's in the summer, students don't have to worry about homework.
ReplyDeleteThomas B- I like Memorial Day since I have people in my family that were in army, but my mom probably likes Mother's Day. My family really doesn't have any traditions because we really don't celebrate these much. I really didn't know about the international workers day. I would make a Student's Day where students would get a day or two off with no homework.
ReplyDeleteKeelie: I like Cinco de Mayo and Memorial day. I Cinco de Mayo because it sounds cool. I like Memorial Day because I get to recognize my all my dead relatives. My family goes to the cemetary and this tree where my grandpa has a headstone. We put little flags and flowers for them. My mom puts them for this gravestone that just says "Mother" and it is a little cement rectangle. I was surprised by Mother's Day because I treat my mom like it is Mother's Day everyday. On Mother's Day we get her a present. I want to make Halloween a holiday. I think that would be awesome. It should be a national holiday so we get that day off.
ReplyDeleteRaquel- My most favorite holiday would have to be Mother's day because I love my mom so much for doing so many things for me. I really like to thank her on this day for putting up with my siblings and I, which is probably really hard but that's what makes her a mom, kids. We usually get her gifts and homemade cards because she doesn't like store bought ones. We also take her out to lunch or something. If I was to make a holiday it would be blue day because we don't really appreciate our colors as much as we should. I don't even like blue but you know just because.
ReplyDeleteNate- Although don't get any days off for it, Pentecost is my favorite holiday of the holidays in May. It represents when the Holy Spirit came down to the apostles, and told them to travel across the world, proclaiming the word of God. That was a very important time for us, as Catholics. However, we don't really have any traditions for Pentecost, or any of the other holidays. I wasn't surprised about any of the holidays, I knew they were there. If I could make a holiday, it would be called Nate day. We would have a month off of school, beginning on that day. It would be a month-long celebration of my total awesomeness.
ReplyDelete-Luke I like memorial day because it makes me remember about the solders in our army who died for our country.On mothers day, i usually give my mom a gift. I'm not surprised by any of the holidays because i know that there are many holidays that celebrate many things. If i were to make a holiday, I would make a day that celebrates books because that is where we get get most of our knowledge from books.
ReplyDeleteLiza-I like Armed Forces Day.It's nice to have a day to recognize those that fight for our freedom and our rights as American citizens. We do, in fact, have a tradition. it's on Mothers Day. We, Mom and Papa and I, try to get outside and just have fun with Mom. We do whatever Mom wants all day long. I was surprised by International Workers Day. I didn't know that there was a day that we recognized the workers. If I could create a holiday, it would be National Dog Day. We would all recognize dogs in history. Dogs like Balto and dogs that have helped society. There would be a huge dog walk around town. Like See-Spot-Walk. I think that there would be a National Cat Day to I guess. Biased on how many people like cats.
ReplyDeleteRyan- I like May The Fourth Be With You. In all seriousness I like Mothers Day. I think it's nice that there is a whole day contributed to our mothers. I also really like Memorial Day because it's a day to remember all the people who died for us and their family's what they had to go through. I don't think we really have any traditions other then lowering the flag to half mast. If I had to make a holiday I would make National Music Appreciation Day where you celebrated all the greatest people in the music industry.
ReplyDeleteLiam~ I enjoy Mother's day. It is a day that I can finally give back to my mom and appreciate all the things that she has done for my family and I. Besides Mother's day, we don't do anything special on those holidays. On Mother's day we sleep in, have a brunch, and then give Mom a few gifts. I was not surprised by any of the holidays because I think that every holiday has a purpose, even if it is so harmless as May the Forth be With You. If I had to make a holiday it would be National Poets day, where every one in America would take part in the Nation-wide Poetry Slam.
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ReplyDeleteReed- I think May is the one of the best months in the year. My favorite holiday in may is Memorial Day. Life is very busy, and sometimes we need to slow down and think of how lucky we are to live in America. One of my family traditions is that we go plant a ton of flowers in our yard inn honer of spring. No, i think that there is a perfect amount of holidays in May and we are lucky that we can celebrate them. If i could create any holiday it would be Farmer Day. It would honer farmers who grow our crops in there fields. I think they should have a little respect for the people who make us not starve.
ReplyDeleteTOmas - My favorite may holiday is mothers day becuase it is a special day to thank my mom for everything she has done for me. without her, i would not be writing this post. I dont have special traditions but we will make a party for my mom and let her do what she wants to do. i wasnt surprised by the holidays becuase they each have a good reason to celebrate it. If i were to make a holiday i would make a holiday named K9 companion day. It would be the day to celebrate the dogs in our lives. I like dogs so that is why i would make this holiday.
ReplyDeleteLauryn-I enjoy Mothers day. I really appreciate my mom and she defiantly needs more appreciation. For Mothers Day we usually go out to eat and my grandma and mom get to spend the whole day relaxing. Every year on memorial day we go out to my great grandmas grave and give her flowers. I wasn't really surprised about any of these holidays. I knew about all of them and like them all. If I could create a holiday it would be to appreciate cancer patients . What they go through is hard and i think they need to be recognized for it.
ReplyDeleteJustin- My favorite holiday is veterans day because my dad is retired from the Air Force and my brother is currently in the Air Force stationed in Japan so it holds a special place in my heart. I don't really do any really big celebrations for the holidays that were mentioned. I was surprised by May Day because I had never heard of that holiday. If I could create a holiday it would be National Basketball Day where everyone played basketball at school because basketball is just such an amazing sport.
ReplyDeleteTodd-My favorite holiday is Memorial Day. On Memorial Day we hang a flag in our front yard just like the rest of the neighborhood, that’s also when the pool in our neighborhood open and we all go swimming. I was a little surprised about how they celebrate internals workers day with protest and how violent they are. If I could create a holiday I would make an 80 degrees and above day. So you would get a day off from school to go swimming with your friends.
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ReplyDeleteIsabel- I personally don't have a favorite holiday. However I do think all of these are important holidays. In my family, we don't have very many traditions for these holidays, except that we usually go out to eat on Mother's day for breakfast. When I saw these holidays, I wasn't really surprised at any of them. If I could Create a holiday it would be called " to Cool to be Stupid". It could be an international holiday to be substance free.
Lily- My favorite holiday in May would have to be Mother's Day. My mom does SO much for me and I love letting her have a break and relax. I don't have any special traditions on these days other than just hanging out and having fun. I know all these holidays, but didn't know that so many Holidays are in the month of May. If I could make a holiday it would be free trip day. All families could go on a crazy trip for a day without paying for it, I don't know who would fund it but it sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteHayley: I enjoy Cinco de Mayo because my family goes to a really big Cinco de Mayo party with all of our friends. This isn't really a tradition but on Mother's Day my mom and I go to Twin Fall's for my soccer tournament but, I always buy her flowers. On Memorial Day my neighborhood pool opens so we normally have a party with the whole neighborhood. If I made a holiday it would probably either by Brandecker day or Hayley day or Best Friend Day. Friends are very important and they don't have a holiday.
ReplyDeleteMegan- My favorite holiday is definitely Mother's Day. Like you said, my mom does so much for me! My dad and I always try to make this day special by doing whatever my mom wants. Usually we get her flowers and make her breakfast in bed. I always love doing that. I was quite surprised by National Workers' Day. When I first read the title I thought it was a nice, quiet holiday to celebrate workers and their rights. As I continued, I couldn't believe how violent it sounds! It's really sad to me that policemen were injured by riots. I mean what the heck?! If I could create a holiday I would probably do Grandparents' Day. There might already be one, but I still like the idea. along with our parents, their parents give so much to us also. I love my grandparents very much and would like to celebrate them too.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- I personally think National Teachers Day and Mother’s Day are some of the most important holidays. Teachers deserve to be recognized because of all the hard work they put into teaching students. Mother’s day is good in general. We usually eat from out on Mother’s Day, go to Church on Pentecost. I was actually didn’t know there was a May Day and I guess it’s an interesting idea… I would create National Travel/Distribution Day. During this day people travel anywhere around the world for free, as long as they help the community in that area. People from the United States could travel to Africa (for free) and help as community service. They could give food, water, and any other necessities the people may possibly need. People could travel around helping others and it would also be a good experience for them. Other people could be helped, and if you have relatives in that area, you could visit them for free and help those who are in need as well. (India) :-)
ReplyDeleteJohn-My favorite holiday out in May is either Memorial Day or Mother's Day. I like Memorial Day because it reminds us how the soldiers fought our country to make us safe even if it meant risking their own life for us, which is really brave of them. I like Mother's Day becasue it makes us realize how fourtunate and lucky we are to have our mother in our life. My Mom does so much for me wether it's helping me with homework sometimes, Taking me to school, or making me meals for me, all that mattters is that she is in my life and I can count for everying. Sometimes me and my family go to the park on Mother's Day and do fun activities. No I wasn't really suprised by any of the holidays because they all should be appriciated. If I could create any Day it would probally be National Sports Tournament Day. On this day every age group from 18 and under would form a team for any sport and compete against teams around the city until their was a champion.
ReplyDeleteSydney- The holidays in May that I probably enjoy the most are Mother's Day and Cinco de Mayo. I really like Mother's Day because it is a time to appreciate our moms and all the work that they do for us. I really like to show my gratitude for her. We always get my mom some really pretty flowers and we get her a gift and we all get her cards. I like Cinco de Mayo because we get to have fun Mexican food and fun parties. I honestly never knew what May day was so that was kind of suprising to me. If i could create a holiday I would be a childrens day. I know some people celebrate it in China, but I think that we should celebrate it in the United States.
ReplyDeleteAndoni- If i had to choose my favorite May holiday it would be between Memorial Day and Mothers Day. i like Memorial Day because for what it makes me think about. Each time this holiday comes around i remember all the good times i had with people who are no linger with us. My family gets together and plants flowers at the cemetery. Mother's Day is special to me because all that my mom does for me. We also do some pretty cool stuff on this day. If i could create a holiday it would be National Baseball day. I think it is a great sport and is enjoyed by all people across America.
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ReplyDeleteBailie-I enjoy Mother’s Day and Memorial Day because my mom gave me life and the soldiers gave everyone a great country and are continuing to protect it. In our family our only tradition is going out to the cemetery and putting flags and flowers on the graves of my relatives that have passed on. I wasn’t really surprised by any of the holidays because I knew about them but I didn’t really acknowledge that they all happened in May. Instead, to me, they just come and I celebrate and then they leave; no other thoughts occur. It would be tough for me to create a holiday since all the important ones have already been invented. Maybe I would create an endangered species day so people stop slaughtering rare animals and taking away their environments.
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ReplyDeleteAubrie- I think my favorite holiday is a tie between mother’s day or National teacher apparition day because we do spend a lot of time at school maybe even more time at school than we do at home depending on how many vacations you typically take In the summer. And Mothers Day is also one of them because our mothers gave birth to us and has cared for us ever since. I do not have any special big traditions for these holidays but we do have little ones. My families tradition for mother’s day is since I’m at my dad’s house on Sundays me and my brother Atticus go to my mom’s house and all my aunts and uncles and grandparents come over for lunch and we all eat together. And on National Teacher Apparition Day I typically give my home room teacher a gift for being my teacher. But other than that those are my families’ traditions. If I could create a holiday it would probably be a day that we as a country remember all of the people who invented great things to help our country in any way.
ReplyDeleteAdriana: I like Memorial Day out of all of those because we get out of school. I also like going over to my grandparents house and having I guess a party with all of my family. I was surprised by the international workers day because I didn't know there was an actual day for that. If I could create a holiday it wouldn't just be one day it would be seven. It would be called international relax week where we don't have to do anything for a whole week including go to school. I would make this holiday because I for one just have really bad weeks where I just need to calm down and sleep and just do nothing for the whole week.
ReplyDeleteSean- I like Memorial Day and May Day the best, why I like Memorial Day is due to the fact that more than half my family in the past have either been well accomplished military personnel or generals, and it is good to respect those who died so that we and others can live in peace for the future. I love to celebrate May Day because it essentially symbolizes the rebirth of life and growth, which can be rehabilitating for some. and so usually we try to live the days to their fullest.
ReplyDeleteProbably a day of enjoyment, where you can just do whatever you want or feel like, to enjoy with friends and family.
Rylie: Mother's Day is my favorite May Holiday. No, sadly i do not have any traditions to go along with some of the May holidays. Well, on Mother's Day my family always go over to my Grandma's house. So i guess that's a tradition. No none of them surprised me, I know lots of the holidays, but Cinco De Mayo is a fun holiday to celebrate. I remember going to some party for that. If I could create a holiday, it would be one for cats or something. My sister and I would love it! And I'm sure a ton of others would too!
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