Things to Celebrate in May by Poppy Flynn

Things to Celebrate in May

by Poppy Flynn

Every day of the month has some kind of official celebration and usually more than one! It might be big, it might be small…it might be wacky or downright bizarre! There are over 1500 National Days throughout the year, here’s just one observance of the many for each day in May 2021.

May 1st - Save the Rhino Day

The Rhinoceros has roamed the earth for over a million years, Save the Rhino Day raises awareness and supports the efforts to save the Rhinoceros from extinction.

May 5th - World Maths Day

World Maths Day is celebrated every year to encourage students around the world to sharpen their mathematical skills it is supported by an online international mathematics competition.

May 6th - No Diet Day

What?! I hear you say. Shock, horror! Why would there be a ‘no diet day’? Well, this is all about body positivity. Take a day to appreciate the body you’ve got.

May 7th - International Tuba Day

Celebrated on the first Friday in May, this day is a recognition of musicians around the world who struggle with the weight and size of their big instrument.

May 2nd - International Harry Potter Day

On May 2nd, 1998 the Battle of Hogwarts, the final conflict in the second wizarding war was fought and Voldemort was defeated. In 2012 the UK Prime Minister declared it as Harry Potter Day.

May 3rd - Lumpy Rug Day

Ironically, despite the name, this is a day for the appreciation of a good rug, so if yours is lumpy, toss it out.

May 4th - Star Wars Day

May the force be with you, or in the case of today’s date, May the fourth be with you.

May 8th - World Red Cross Day

Recognising the efforts of Red Cross Societies around the world.

‘Worldwide efforts to advocate for the relief of human suffering, whether from disease, famine, disaster, or war.’

May 9th - Lost Sock Memorial Day

A day to commemorate all those lost socks that are no longer with us and ask ourselves, ‘did they really all get eaten by the washing machine monster?’ A recent survey showed that the average person loses over 15 socks a year. That’s a lot of missing socks.

May 10th - Clean Up Your Room Day

Does what it says on the tin. You might even find some of those lost socks!

May 11th - Eat What You Want Day

Splurge on your favourite foods today without guilt.

May 17th - Pack Rat Day

How many of us hoard things? It doesn’t have to be over the top. Today is a day to celebrate all those sentimental things that give value to our lives and reminders of friends, family, places and happy times.

May 18th - International Museum Day

May 12th - Limerick Day

Celebrating the birthday of Edward Lear who popularised limericks. A humorous poem of five lines where the first two lines rhyme with the fifth line rhyme and the third and fourth lines rhyme.

May 13th - Jumping Frog Day

Established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums, this is a day to appreciate all those antiquities that play a part in the history of the world.

May 19th - World Plant a Vegetable Day

Go on - do it! Just one. Even if it’s just a pot of cress seeds on your window ledge.

The roots of Frog Jumping Day go back to Mark Twain's first short story. It was first published in 1865 as "Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog".

May 14th - Dance Like a Chicken Day

Everyone knows this one. Go on let’s see you. Hands under your arms, flap those ‘wings, strut to the music and give that distinctive head bop.

May 15th – Armed Forces Day

Celebrated on the third Saturday in May, this is simply a day to salute sharply all of the men and women in all branches of the military, who protect you and your country.

May 16th - Love a Tree Day

Go find a tree and give it a hug, maybe climb one and share some quality time with it. Trees give us shade, privacy and enjoyment as well as give off oxygen. We couldn’t live without them.

May 20th - Be a Millionaire Day

Well, I bet we’d all like to do this, but from a practical point of view, take a look at your finances. See where you can make saving and investments and if all else fails buy a lottery ticket (only one!)

May 21st - Bike to Work Day

Celebrated annually on the third Friday of May. Go on, dust off your bike, get some exercise and save fuel as well as the environment.

May 22nd - World Goth Day

Not into black clothes and hair and heavy kohl eye makeup? Well, you’ll be glad to know there’s more to it than that. Being ‘Goth’ is an entire culture.

May 23rd - World Turtle Day

As well as celebrating the enjoyment of both turtles and tortoises, today aims to educate people about how to protect them and save their disappearing natural habitat.

May 24th - International Tiara Day

Go on ladies, put on your crowns and be wonderful. That what this day is all about.

May 25th - Tap Dance Day

This day was created in honour of the birthday of legendary tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson on May 25, 1878.

May 26th Sally Ride Day

No, not the song! Today actually recognises the first American woman astronaut to go into space. Dr. Sally Ride accomplished this feat as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle, Challenger.

May 27th Sunscreen Day

Held on May 27th, just as the summer and vacation season gets underway, Sunscreen Day is to promote awareness of the importance of using sunscreen to protect from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

May 28th - Amnesty International Day

Amnesty International was founded following the publication of the article ‘The Forgotten Prisoners’ in the Observer on 28 May 1961. Its function is to recognise the need to protect human rights around the world.

May 29th - Learn About Composting Day

Go on, you know you want to.

May 30th - Water a Flower Day

Slightly easier that nearning about compost in a month that is full of growing things.

May 31st - Macaroon Day

The flourless cookie. Macaroons are made from ground nuts and egg whites and it’s believed they were first made in an Italian monastery in 1792.

Monthly Observances include: Date Your Mate Month, Foster Care Month, National Bike Month, National Hamburger Month and National Salad Month.

Poppy Flynn was born in Buckinghamshire, UK and moved to Wales at eight years old with parents who wanted to live the 'self-sufficiency' lifestyle. Today she still lives in rural Wales and is married with six children. Poppy's love of reading and writing stemmed from her parents' encouragement and the fact that they didn't have a television in the house. "When you're surrounded by fields, cows and sheep, no neighbors, no TV and the closest tiny village is four miles away, there's a certain limit to your options, but with books your adventures and your horizons are endless." Discover more about Poppy on Mom's Favorite Reads website:

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/poppy-flynn