May Fun Facts

May is the 5th month of the year and has 31 days. Season (Northern Hemisphere): Spring

Holidays

May Day Cinco de Mayo National Teacher Day Mother’s Day Victoria Day Memorial Day National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Asian American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month Skin Cancer Awareness Month National Bike Month

Symbols of May

• Birthstone: Emerald

• Flower: Lily of the Valley

• Zodiac signs: Taurus and Gemini

History The month of May was named for the Greek goddess Maia. She was the goddess of fertility. The Romans had a similar goddess named Bona Dea. They held the festival for Bona Dea during the month of May. The Romans called the month Maius. The name changed over the years. It was first called May in the 1400s near the end of the Middle Ages. May in Other Languages

• Chinese (Mandarin) - wuyuè

• Danish - maj

• French - mai

• Italian - maggio

• Latin - Maius

• Spanish - mayo

Historical Names

• Roman: Maius

• Saxon: Thrimilci

• Germanic: Wonne-mond

Fun Facts about May

• It is the third and last month of the season of spring.

• The birthstone of May, the emerald, symbolizes success and love.

• May in the Northern Hemisphere is similar to November in the Southern Hemisphere.

• May was once considered a bad luck month to get married. There is a poem that says "Marry in May and you'll rue the day".

• In Old English May is called the "month of three milkings" referring to a time when the cows could be milked three times a day.

• The Indianapolis 500 car race is held each year during this month. The Kentucky Derby, the world's most famous horse race, is also held on the second Saturday of this month.

• The month of May is devoted to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church.

• The United Kingdom celebrates May as the National Smile Month.

• The last week of May is Library and Information Week.

Center Events

Bellevue

May 13th - Mothers Day

May 14th through 18th - USBORNE Book Fair

May18th - Flower Planting

May 25th - PJ Day

Center Closer - May 28th Closed for Memorials Day

Seattle

May 1st - May Pole Day

Center Closer - May 28th Closed for Memorials Day

Kirkland

May 1st - May Pole Day May 7th through 11th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 11th - Mother's Day Pastries & Flowers May 21st through 25th - USBORNE Book Fair

Center Closer - May 28th Closed for Memorials Day