Every month has its own significance, and as the month of May approaches, we bring to you some lesser known facts about it. This article lists out some great quotes and sayings, interesting holidays, and some good trivia questions for you to test your knowledge.
Some Astonishing Misconceptions!
➤ According to an old Cornish superstition, it was unlucky to buy a new broom in this month. And so was washing a blanket!
➤ Some people believed that if you got up on May 1st and washed your face in the May dew, it would remove all freckles and pimples, giving you a great complexion.
➤ Another belief was that babies born in May would be sick all through their childhood, and cats born in May wouldn’t catch rodents but rather bring home snakes.
Those were the times, when everyone was aware about the significance of the months and the celebrations that followed. Nowadays, it’s only about birthdays or any special events in the particular month. However, don’t worry! Here are some facts about the upcoming month of May:
- The month was named after the Greek Goddess of Fertility, Maia. One famous poet suggests that the name comes from the Latin word, “maiores” which means “elders”.
- No month other than May ever begins or ends on the same day of the week, in the same year. It may match with the months of the following year.
- May is the month of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, and spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The birthstone is emerald, which signifies love and success.
- The birth flower is the Lily of the Valley.
- People born in May fall under two zodiac signs: Taurus (till May 20 ) and Gemini (after May 21). There are some specific Taurus traits and Gemini traits. Also, here is some information on some famous Taurus personalities.
Quotes and Sayings on May
Among the changing months, May stands confest; The sweetest, and in fairest colors dressed.
― James Thomson
Hebe’s here, May is here! The air is fresh and sunny; And the miser-bees are busy Hoarding golden honey.
― Thomas Bailey Aldrich
But winter lingering chills the lap of May.
― Oliver Goldsmith
Sweet April showers, Do spring May flowers.
― Thomas Tusser
Lines of baled hay
yellowing in the sunshine – dry May day.
― Mike Garofalo, Cuttings
In beauty as the first of May doth the last of December.
― William Shakespeare
Another May new buds and flowers shall bring: Ah! why has happiness no second Spring?
― Charlotte Smith
As full of spirit as the month of May, and as gorgeous as the sun in Midsummer.
― William Shakespeare
The world’s favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May.
― Edwin Way Teale
I thought that spring must last forevermore;
For I was young and loved, and it was May.
― Vera Brittain
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
― William Shakespeare
Long stormy spring-time, wet contentious April, winter chilling the lap of very May; but at length the season of summer does come.
― Thomas Carlyle
What potent blood hath modest May.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
As it fell upon a day In the merry month of May, Sitting in a pleasant shade Which a grove of myrtles made.
― Richard Barnfield
O May, sweet-voice one, going thus before, Forever June may pour her warm red wine Of life and passions, – sweeter days are thine!
― Helen Hunt Jackson
Weet May hath come to love us, Flowers, trees, their blossoms don; And through the blue heavens above us The very clouds move on.
― Heinrich Heine
Who first beholds the light of day In Spring’s sweet flowery month of May And wears an Emerald all her life, Shall be a loved and happy wife.
― Anonymous
You are as welcome as the flowers in May.
― Charles Macklin
As it fell upon a day In the merry month of May,
Sitting in a pleasant shade
Which a grove of myrtles made.
― Richard Barnfield
Ah! my heart is weary waiting, Waiting for the May:
Waiting for the pleasant rambles
Where the fragrant hawthorn brambles,
With the woodbine alternating, Scent the dewy way;
Ah! my heart is weary, waiting, Waiting for the May.
― Denis Florence McCarthy, Summer Longings
May, queen of blossoms, And fulfilling flowers,
With what pretty music, Shall we charm the hours?
Wilt thou have pipe and reed, Blown in the open mead?
Or to the lute give heed, In the green bowers?
― Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow, To May
Interesting Days in May
May 1
- Labor Day
- Loyalty Day
- National Chocolate Parfait Day
- Mother Goose Day
- Law Day
May 2
- Scurvy Awareness Day
- National Truffles Day
May 3
- World Press Freedom Day
- National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4
- Star Wars Day
- National Homebrew Day
- National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 5
- International Day of the Midwife
- Cinco de Mayo
- National Hoagie Day
May 6
- National Nurses Day
- National Crêpes Suzette Day
- International No Diet Day
May 7
- National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8
- World Thalassemia Day
- National Coconut Cream Pie Day
- National Empanada Day
- National Have A Coke Day
May 9
- National Lost Sock Memorial Day
- National Butterscotch Brownie Day
- National Moscato Day
May 10
- National Clean Up Your Room Day
- National Shrimp Day
May 11
- National Twilight Zone Day
- National Eat What You Want Day
May 12
- National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13
- National Frog Jumping Day
- National Apple Pie Day
- National Fruit Cocktail Day
May 14
- National Dance Like A Chicken Day
- National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 15
- International Day of Families
- National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
May 16
- National Coquilles St. Jacques Day
May 17
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
- National Pack Rat Day
- National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18
- National Cheese Soufflé Day
May 19
- National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20
- National Quiche Lorraine Day
- National Pick Strawberries Day
May 21
- National Strawberries and Cream Day
May 22
- International Day for Biological Diversity
- National Buy A Musical Instrument Day
- National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23
- National Lucky Penny Day
- National Taffy Day
May 24
- National Escargot Day
May 25
- National Brown-Bag-It Day
- National Wine Day
May 26
- Sally Ride Day
- National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
- National Cherry Dessert Day
May 27
- National Grape Popsicle Day
May 28
- National Brisket Day
- National Hamburger Day
May 29
- International Day of UN Peacekeepers
- National End Of Middle Ages Day
- National Coq Au Vin Day
May 30
- My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It Day
- National Mint Julep Day
May 31
- World No-Tobacco Day
- National Macaroon Day
Trivia About May
1. In ancient Rome, priests of Vulcan followed a custom on May 1st. What was it?
2. The Empire State building first opened on May 1st. Which year was it?
3. In May, Mother’s Day is celebrated on a Monday. Which Monday is it celebrated on?
4. Kentucky Derby takes place on a Saturday in May. Which one is it?
5. One of the classic rock songs has a line, “It’s just a spring clean for the May Queen”. Name the song.
6. How many U.S. Presidents have died in this month?
7. How many U.S. Presidents were born in this month?
8. Which Roman poet said, “Bad girls wed in May”?
9. Complete this famous superstition. “Marry in May and you’ll …”
10. According to a superstition, on May 1st, young girls used to do something immediately after waking up, what was it?
