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
The national holiday was originally designated to honor the
men and women who have died in defense of our country. It started soon after the end of the Civil
War to recognize the price paid by both Union and Confederate soldiers. It has since been expanded to all men and
women who have given their lives in defense of our country. People have taken this time of remembrance to
honor any loved one who has passed, regardless of military service. Loved ones visit cemeteries and bring flowers
or other mementos. The decoration of our
national cemeteries is remarkable.
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?
I think I enjoy Cinco De Mayo the most because it is my birthday. Two of these celebrations I haven't even heard of and no I don't really celebrate much of these holidays except for the occasional Mexican food on Cinco De Mayo. I was surprised about how many of these random events we have but no none of these were really surprising. I would create a holiday about honoring kids. About how much joy they put into people life.
ReplyDelete^ Isaiah
ReplyDeletekylee-I enjoy mothers day because I love my mom so much and I think every mom needs to be appericated for what they do because they do a lot. On mothers day my brother, sister, and me all make my mom breakfast and give her gifts. No because I already knew all about all these holidays. One holiday that should be made is a holiday to remember famous basketball players such as Michael Jordan and one for famous singers such as Michael Jackson.
ReplyDeletewelles- i enjoy mothers day the most. i love my mom so much and she does so much for me and i really appericate it. and they put in so much time for us that this is a good holiday! sometimes we eat chipps and salsa on cinco de mayo. i was sup prized how many random holidays there are. it would be a day to honor friends.
ReplyDeleteClaire- I enjoy Mother's Day the most because it is a great day to show your appreciation for your mother. One of my traditions for Mother's Day is that my dad, sister, and I get up early and make my mom breakfast in bed. This has been one of my traditions for as long as I can remember. I was kind of surprised by National Worker's Day and Armed Forces Day. On the other hand, these holidays are great to recognize and remember our workers, and the members of our armed forces. If I were to create a holiday it would be to recognize famous sports legends such as, like Kylee said, Michael Jordan, and Pele.
ReplyDeleteHenry- Well I enjoy May Day because i hit my first home run on May Day. But I don't count out Mother's day either. We usually have a dinner on mother's day at my aunt's house. No, I wasn't surprised by any of the holidays. I would create a National Michael jordan Day. Why? He is my favorite basketball player and athlete to ever step on to the court or field.
ReplyDeleteGrace- I enjoy Mother's Day the most because I know that my mom does so much for me, and it's nice to have a day designated just for her. Yeah, there's her birthday, but Mother's Day is a day to thank your mom for what she does for you and to really think about what you can do and give her to show your love and appreciation. On Mother's Day my family will give my mom some gifts and do stuff for her. On Cinco de Mayo, we'll probably just have some chips and salsa. I was surprised about International Worker’s Day, National Teachers Day, and Armed Forces Day. If I could make a holiday, it would be called "Sushi Day", and it would be on a school day. The whole school (or whoever wants to go) will go on a field trip and go to Lulu's and eat unlimited sushi, all for free. We will go there for snack, lunch, before we leave school, and we'll take some home in a box for later.
ReplyDeleteJack- I enjoy Mothers day. It gives appreciation to all the mothers out there who work their tails of to keep a home in order.
ReplyDeleteMargaret- I enjoy Mother's Day the most because I was born on Mother's Day. Also because I love my mommy.Yes we have a dinner with our family celebrating Mother's Day and my Grammy always helps me get something for my mom. No I wasn't because I knew all of them were today. If I could create a holiday it would be Margaret Day eating cakes and going to Jump Time.
ReplyDeleteMadeline- I like Memorial Day the most, because it is a day where we say thanks to the people that served our country. On Mothers Day we have a tradition of going on a bike ride, or going to a movie. I was surprised by the International Worker’s Day. I did not know that over 80 countries celebrated it. If I could make a holiday it would be the National Care for the Homeless Day. I chose this because during the holidays the homeless have nothing. We could have a day were we spoil the homeless with food, gifts, and money.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth- Mother's Day is my favorite day of all the holidays in May. I love it because we can appericate what they have done for us and just say thank you. Wel we dont have any traditions for any of those holidays but last year my grandfather who fought in wrld War 2 died and i think this memorial day might be emotional. Well I have never heard of Armed Forces Day so I am kinda suprised that we have one. I would make a holiday for whoever has showed bravery in a time of need. I would call it Careing and Dedicated people day.
ReplyDeletemckai- My fravorite day is armed forces day because one day I would like to be in the air force. No. No. My holiday would be the day you owner your heroes that's all.
ReplyDeleteHonor is not spelled owner but Honor.
DeleteVictoria- i love Mothers Day the most because its a time to think about all your mom does for you. On Mothers Day the family makes my mom breakfeast in bed then give her cards and gifts and take her to do something fun. I wasnt surprised by any of the holidays because i know of all of them. If i could have a holiday i would name it Party Day when all your friends come over for a party,
ReplyDeleteGraci- I like Mother's Day the best because we need to appreciate our moms and everything they do for us. A tradition we do on Mother's Day is my mom gets breakfast in bed, that my family and I made for her, we each give her a gift and we do all the chores, while my mom can relax. I was surprised at International Worker's Day. I was surprised at how many countries celebrated it. If I could create a holiday, it would be International Dance Day, Everyone who dances competitively would get to take a day off or maybe a week and go to any dance competition/show they wanted to and go anywhere in the world.
ReplyDeleteRobert Fritz- The holiday that I enjoy the most out of all of the holidays in May would be Cinco De Mayo because it's celebrated at a way higher caliber than something like National Teachers Day because I never even new something like that existed. I don't have any special traditions for these holidays unless for Mother's Day being a slave for the day is considered a tradition. I wasn't really surprised by any of the holidays because all of them were just a day to commemorate what people do, have done or will do. If I could create any holiday than it would be a day to just drop every thing and live a carefree life style for just one day because I think that some of the reasons problems pop up in the U.S is basically because off people being overly stressed. I would call the holiday "Carefree Day."
ReplyDeleteAustin- The holiday that I enjoy most in may would be Mothers Day. I really like how we can show thanks to our Moms for all they do for us. The only holiday we celebrate would be mothers day and Cinco De Mayo. We usually just eat Mexican food on Cinco De Mayo and on mothers day we usually have the whole family over to party. I wasn't that surprised because I knew that all of those holidays happened this month. I would call the holiday that I made up is computer day. all the computer companies will go around and give out free computers
ReplyDeleteSam -The holiday that I like the most is Mother’s Day. I like this day because it always makes me feel good inside when I get my mom a present and give her a hug. I like to make breakfast for her too. I am not the best cook and therefore my sister does the actual cooking. I am usually just the waiter. Although I really do appreciate Mother’s Day, I also like Memorial Day because there is no school on that day. Trust me though, I do think about and honor those who have passed away. I was slightly surprised at Armed Forces Day. I think that since we already have a day to remember out armed forces, we wouldn’t need another one. Although I am not one to say what should and what shouldn’t be a holiday; I think that a day to remember some of the great invertors that made our world what it is today.
ReplyDeleteEmily- I love Mother's Day because it's a day where you get to show your mom how much you love her even though you're supposed to everyday, you can get her things to prove it. I don't think we have any traditions for any of these holidays except for getting my mom a card and making the whole day about her. I was surprised by International Worker's Day and Armed Forces Day. I had no idea that those were real holidays until just now. I would create a holiday called Day Off and anybody could do anything they have wanted to do their whole life, so it's basically a day where there are no restrictions on what you can do.
ReplyDeleteCharlie- I like mothers day the best because it shows our appreciation and love that we, being kids might not show everyday. Also we make my mom a card and get her present. Its like thanking her for all the lunches she made o us or how she makes dinner almost every night. I was surprised about international Workers day. I would create a holiday called helping hand were you would do everything your parent did and they could just chill.
ReplyDeleteEmile-Marmoreal day is the best in my opinion because 1st we dont have school 2nd we celebrate are fallen soldiers and 3rd It reminds us of our past history and liberty. no we don't really do anything special for marmoreal day. no i wasn't surprised that much by any of the holidays i mostly know then all and their reasons. If i could make a holiday i would make holiday for all people it would be called 'All Rights Day" it would be a day where all people of all ages would have the right that others have like all women have the same rights as men.
ReplyDelete