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May Diversity Holidays

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to American society.

May is Better Hearing & Speech Month, raising awareness about communication disorders and the importance of early detection and intervention.

May is Global Employee Health Fitness Month, promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle in the workplace.

May is Haitian Heritage Month, celebrating the rich cultural contributions and history of Haitian Americans.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, which recognizes the diverse contributions of the Jewish people to American culture.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses.

May is National Foster Care Month, recognizing the thousands of American children and youth in foster care and their families as well as foster parents, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and policymakers who help them find their forever homes.

May is National Military Appreciation Month - celebrated every May and is a declaration that encourages U.S. citizens to observe the month in a symbol of unity. NMAM honors current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom.

May is Older Americans Month, established in 1963 to honor the legacies and contributions of older Americans and to support them as they enter their next stage of life.

MAY 1

  • Silver Star Banner Day, honors the sacrifices of America's wounded, ill, and injured service members. The Silver Star Banner represents those who have been awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
  • May Day, also known as Labor Day, is an international holiday celebrating the achievements and contributions of workers and the labor movement.
  • National Day of Prayer, a day of observance in the United States when people are asked to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

MAY 3

  • Day of the Cross, also known as Día de la Cruz, is a festival celebrated across Mexico and Central America, marking the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena of Constantinople.

MAY 4

  • International Family Equality Day, acknowledges the diversity between LGBTQ+ families globally.

MAY 5

  • Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861–1867). This day celebrates Mexican culture and heritage with a variety of festivities, including parades and mariachi music performances.
  • Buddha's Birthday, observed in China and East Asia, this day honors Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as Buddha, and the religion he founded.

MAY 5 - 11

  • Trans+ History Week, celebrates the history of transgender, gender-diverse, intersex, and non-binary individuals through shared stories.

MAY 8

  • World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, commemorates the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and celebrates the principles of the movement.

MAY 9

  • Military Spouse Appreciation Day, an annual occasion observed on the Friday before Mother's Day in May to recognize and honor the support and sacrifices of military spouses in the US.

MAY 11

  • Mother's Day, an internationally recognized holiday dedicated to honoring and expressing gratitude to mothers and mother figures for their love, care, and invaluable contributions to the lives of their children and families.

MAY 12

  • Buddha Day, also known as Vesak, is a Buddhist festival that marks Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. It is observed by Buddhists and some Hindus on different days throughout Asia and other parts of the world.

MAY 15

  • Global Accessibility Awareness Day, raise awareness about the importance of digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.

MAY 15 - 16 (sundown to sundown)

  • Lag BaOmer, commemorates two significant events in Jewish history: the cessation of a devastating plague that killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva's students during the Roman occupation of Judea, and the life and teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a prominent sage and mystic.

MAY 16

  • National Honor LGBTQ+ Elder Day, highlights the important role LGBTQ+ elders have played in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

MAY 17

  • Armed Forces Day, honors the five branches of the U.S. military: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
  • International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, a global celebration of sexual orientation and gender diversities.

MAY 20

  • Asian Gold Ribbon Day, aims to drive social change and to raise awareness of anti-Asian hate and racism on a large scale.

MAY 21

  •  World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a day set aside by the United Nations as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together in harmony.

MAY 22 - 23 (sundown to sundown)

  • Declaration of the Báb, the day of declaration of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith.

MAY 26

  • Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the United States established to honor military veterans who died in wars fought by US forces.

MAY 27 - 28 (sundown to sundown)

  • Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, commemorates the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith.

MAY 29

  • International Day of UN Peacekeepers, honors the dedication, sacrifice, and contributions of peacekeepers around the world.
  • Ascension Day, or The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, celebrates the ascension of Christ from Earth in the presence of God within most of the Christian faith.

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