All About May

May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days. Named after Maia, the Greek goddess of fertility, May is a month of growth and renewal. In the Northern Hemisphere, it represents the height of spring, while in the Southern Hemisphere, autumn is in full swing.

May Quick Facts

• Month Number: 5th month of the year
• Number of Days: 31
• Season (Northern Hemisphere): Spring
• Season (Southern Hemisphere): Autumn
• Birthstone: Emerald
• Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn
• Zodiac Signs: Taurus (until May 20) and Gemini (from May 21)

Notable May Events & Holidays

• May 1: May Day/International Workers’ Day (Global)
• May 4: Star Wars Day (“May the Fourth be with you”)
• May 5: Cinco de Mayo (Mexico and the United States)
• May (second Sunday): Mother’s Day (U.S., Canada, Australia, and many other countries)
• May 12: International Nurses Day
• May 17: World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
• May (last Monday): Memorial Day (U.S.)
• May (variable): Vesak/Buddha Day (Buddhist, date varies by lunar calendar)
• May is also: Mental Health Awareness Month, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the U.S.