Written by Selina
Modified & Updated: 23 Sep 2023
Reviewed by Sherman Smith
As the weather starts to warm up and the flowers begin to bloom, May marks the start of a beautiful season that brings new beginnings and exciting festivities. In this article, we will uncover 20 marvelous facts about May that you may not have known before.
May is named after the Roman goddess Maia.
May is named after the Roman goddess Maia, who was associated with fertility and growth. Maia was also believed to be the mother of Mercury, the messenger of the gods. In Greek mythology, Maia was one of the seven daughters of Atlas and the Pleiad Maia.
May was not always the fifth month of the year.
In the early Roman calendar, May was the third month of the year. However, when the calendar was reformed, January and February were added to the beginning of the year, making May the fifth month.
May has two birthstones.
Anyone born in May is a true gem indeed. The birthstones of May are emerald and chrysoprase. Both of them are green-shaded gems associated with love, success, happiness, and creativity.
The birth flower for September is the lily of the valley.
The lily of the valley is known for its delicate and sweet fragrance. This flower symbolizes humility, sweetness, and motherhood, and is most commonly used in bridal bouquets.
Aside from being the birth month flower for May, the Lily of the Valley is also the traditional flower for celebrating the 2nd wedding anniversary, symbolizing the enduring strength and purity of a couple’s love.
A full moon in May is called the Flower Moon.
May’s full moon is called the Flower Moon because of the abundance of flowers that bloom during the month of May. In some regions, the Flower Moon is also known as the Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon, reflecting the planting and growth of crops during the spring season. If you have the time, try looking for the full moon sometime.
May the Fourth Be With You.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, then the Fourth of May should not be a mystery to you. Most of us recognize that May 4th is Star Wars Day, where fans of the movie franchise celebrate with “May the Fourth Be With You” puns and Star Wars-themed parties.
1 May is May Day.
Do not confuse this with the signal distress call! May Day, celebrated on May 1st, is also known as International Workers’ Day. It is a public holiday in many countries around the world, where people celebrate the contributions of workers to society. In other countries, May Day is also called Labour Day.
There is a May Queen.
We have heard of many queens but definitely not this one. The May Queen is a symbolic figure who is often associated with the celebration of May Day. Typically, a young woman is chosen to be the May Queen to represent the beauty and vitality of spring. The May Queen is crowned with a wreath of flowers and has a retinue of attendants.
May 8 signifies Victory as well.
While all of us may be well aware that 8th May is Mother’s Day, did you also know it is a day of victory for a number of countries? It was on May 8th, 1945, that the German high command unconditionally surrendered, marking an official end to World War II.
May 8th is now also called Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day. Countries like France, UK, and Poland commemorate this day with remembrance ceremonies and pride in their hearts.
The grandest horse race takes place in May.
The Kentucky Derby, a famous horse race that takes place in Louisville, Kentucky, is always held on the first Saturday in May. This is one of the oldest horse races in the world since 1875. The only two times where this event did not place — the war in 1945 and in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Indianapolis 500 is held on Memorial Day weekend.
The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most famous car races in the world, and it’s held on Memorial Day weekend each year in May. It’s a time to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Americans spend over $600 million on beer for the Cinco de Mayo in May.
Cinco de Mayo, which means “the fifth of May” in Spanish, is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Many celebrate this day with parades, festivals, and traditional Mexican food and drinks. We can see why the gross spending on beer alone trumps that of the Superbowl and St. Patrick’s Day.
May is National Barbecue Month.
Now if you are into barbecue parties and dinners, then this is the month to go all out. May is National Barbecue Month in the United States, where people celebrate with outdoor cookouts, picnics, and barbecue parties.
May is also National Hamburger Month.
If you’re a fan of hamburgers, you’ll be happy to know that May is also National Hamburger Month. It’s a time to celebrate this beloved food, whether you like it with ketchup and mustard or with all the fixings.
May is National Bike Month.
Time to get those bikes out. During National Bike Month, communities across the United States host events and activities such as group rides, bike races, and bike-to-work days. The goal is to promote the benefits of bicycling, including improved health and fitness, and reduced traffic congestion.
May is also National Pet Month.
May may be the month of smoking meats and outdoor biking, but it is also the month to appreciate your furry friends. In the United States of America, National Pet Month celebrates the joys and benefits of pet ownership and promotes responsible pet care.
May is believed to be the worst month to get married.
There is an old adage that goes “Marry in May and you’ll rue the day” – a rhyme suggests that getting married in May brings bad luck. It may have originated from the Roman festival of Lemuria which was held in May and was associated with the spirits of the dead.
But, May is also a popular month for weddings.
Just like September, May is a popular month for weddings, with many couples choosing to tie the knot during this beautiful and romantic time of year because of summer. It’s a time to celebrate love and commitment and to look forward to a happy future together.
May is a month of many holidays.
May is a month of many holidays, including Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and more. It’s a time to celebrate with family and friends and to honor important occasions. And, if you want to plan your leave, May is the month to maximize your leaves efficiently.
May is the month when you can milk cows up to three times a day.
Now this is a strange and intriguing fact. In Old English, May was also known as primlice, which meant “three milkings”. In May, pastures are lush and green, providing ample grazing for cows and other livestock.
This abundance of fresh grass allows cows to produce up to 20-30% more milk than they do during other times of the year. This intriguing fact is also called the “spring flush” or the “May flush”.
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