Important Dates and Events in May

General Studies is a subject that every student has encountered once. When it comes to competitive exams, you need to know the details as well. The world is full of notable achievements. Be it in science or in politics.

There are different days to celebrate these achievements. And we know that there are other events to celebrate too. This article is about important dates and events in May for competitive exams.

Important Events in May Month

Go through the list to know about the world a little more what are Important dates and events in May month globally and Nationally.

Global Events in May

1. International Workers Day or May Day – 1st May

This day is to celebrate the contribution of laborers and the working class to society. The Haymarket affair was a peaceful 8 hours long protest by the workers. During the protest, a bomb was thrown by an unidentified person.

This made police fire on the workers injuring around 100 individuals. This incident took place in Chicago in May 1856. This day is an initiative to avoid incidents like these in the future. The US celebrates this day in September. The theme for 2020 was “Maintaining safety and security at the workplace”.

2. International Astronomy Day- 2nd May

The Astronomical Association of Northern California took the initiative to start this day in 1973. It falls in May as well as in September. The idea is to raise awareness about astronomy as a field. Various events are there every year to provide a platform to the general public and come and speak on this topic.

3. World Solar Energy Day / Sun Day – 3rd May

United States President Jimmy Carter took the initiative to make this day official in 1978. It is to celebrate the uniqueness and importance of solar power in our lives. The idea to introduce this was of Denis Hayes, the coordinator of Earth Day. The first celebration took place in 1994.

4. Press Freedom Day – 3rd May

The United Nations General Assembly made this day official in 1993. This day marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration. It is a declaration stating press freedom principles, put together in Africa in 1991. The idea is to promote freedom of press and journalism under the Freedom of Speech right.

Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is an initiative by UNESCO to award an individual or an organization for their contribution to this cause. The theme for 2020 was “Journalism without Fear or Favour”.

5. Coal Miners Day – 4th May

Coal mining is one of the toughest professions in the world. This day aims to appreciate and honor these hardworking individuals. Many organizations work together to raise funds for these workers on this day.

6. International Firefighters Day – 4th May

This day is to honor firefighters for safeguarding the environment and communities. In 1998, many firefighters lost their lives fighting the Australia Bushfire. In 1999, JJ Edmondson took the initiative to start this after the horrific incident.

The feast day of St, Florian falls on 4th May. He was the first commander of firefighters in the Roman Empire.

7. World Laughter Day – First Sunday of May

The first celebration took place on 10th January 1998, in Mumbai, India. Dr. Kataria took the initiative to start this day with the Laughter Yoga Movement. The idea is to build a healthy and peaceful relationship through laughter. The theme for 2019 was “Spread Happiness”.

8. World Asthma Day – First Tuesday of May

Global Initiative for Asthma ( GINA ) is an organization that works to curb this disease. The first celebration took place in 1998, by GINA. The idea is to increase awareness about Asthma and educate people about it. The theme for 2020 was “ Enough Asthma Deaths”.

9. World Athletics Day – 7th May 2019

This day is to encourage youngsters to practice athletics. The first celebration took place in 1996. The worldwide athletics federation IAAF’s president Primo Nebiolo took the initiative to start this day. Till now, no date is chosen for 2020.

10. World Red Cross Day – 8th May

This day is to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross Movement. This movement is to protect human life and ensure that every individual gets respect and does not suffer in any way.

Jean Henri Dunant was the founder of the Red Cross. He was born on 8th May 1828. The first celebration took place in 1948. The theme for 2019 was #LOVE.

11. World Thalassaemia Day – 8th May

Thalassemia is a blood disorder that decreases hemoglobin count in your body. This day is to make people aware of this disease. It also aims to empower the victims of this disease.

The theme for 2020 was “Universal access to quality thalassemia healthcare services: Building bridges with and for the patient”.

12. World Migratory Bird Day – 9th May

The idea is to make people aware of conserving migratory birds and their habitat. Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) initiated this day in 2006.

The theme of 2020 was “Birds Connect Our World”.

13. Mother’s Day – Second Sunday of May

Anna Jarvis took the initiative to introduce this day in 1908. The idea is to respect motherhood and maternal bonds. The celebration takes place worldwide in May.

14. International Nurses Day – 12th May

It is to highlight the contribution that nurses make to the medical field. Florence Nightingale was born on 12th May 1820. She is the founder of Modern Nursing. This day is to honor her contribution to this field.

The International Council of Nurses took the initiative to start this day in 1965. The theme for 2020 was “Nurses: A voice to lead – Nursing the World to Health”.

15. International Day of Families – 15th May

The UN General Assembly made this day official in 1993. It promotes the idea of a healthy and balanced family. The theme for 2020 was “Families in Development: Copenhagen & Beijing + 25”.

16. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day – 17th May

The International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference made this day official in 2006. The idea is to explore the Internet and other communication technologies.

International Telecommunication Union me into being on 17th May 1865. This day marks the anniversary of this establishment as well.

17. World Hypertension Day – 17th May

Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure goes up at an increasing rate. This can risk the heart, kidney, brain, and other organs as well. This day aims to make people aware of this condition.

It is an initiative by The World Hypertension League. The first celebration took place in 2005. The theme for 2020 was “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer”.

18. World AIDS Vaccine Day – 18th May

Bill Clinton spoke about the importance of the HIV vaccine on 18th May 1997. The first celebration took place in 1998 inspired by Clinton’s speech. The idea is to raise awareness about AIDS and promote research for its vaccine. There is no vaccine to cure AIDS until now.

19. International Museum Day – 18th May

It is an initiative by the International Council of Museums that started in 1977. The idea is to highlight the challenges faced by museums. The theme for 2020 was “Museum for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion”.

20. World Metrology Day – 20th May

Metrology studies the measurement. Metre Convention, an international treaty was signed on 20th May 1875. This day marks the anniversary of this treaty. The idea is to highlight the contribution of the people working in metrology organizations. The theme for 2020 was “Measurements for global trade”.

21. National Endangered Species Day – Third Friday in May

The first celebration was done by the U.S. Senate in 2006. The idea is to raise awareness about protecting endangered species and their habitat. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 focuses on wildlife conservation.

22. US Armed Forces Day – Third Saturday of the May

It is an initiative by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson. US President Harry S. Truman was behind the idea of this day. The idea is to honor men and women who are part of the armed forces. The first celebration took place in 1950. The theme for 2019 was “For the Nation. For the People”.

23. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development – 21st May

The idea is to promote diversity-related issues. The United Nations General Assembly made this day official in 2001. Their main motto is “to live together in harmony”. UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity is the inspiration behind this day.

24. International Day for Biological Diversity – 22nd May

The idea is to increase awareness about biodiversity and educate people about it. The UN General Assembly made this day official in 1993.

The Biodiversity Convention came into being on 22nd May 1992. Till 2000, the celebration took place in December. The theme for 2020 was “Our solutions are in nature”.

25. Commonwealth day – 24th May

Queen Victoria was born on 24th May 1819. She died in 1901. Empire Day was first celebrated on 24th May 1902 to honor her. It became official in 1916. In 1958, it was renamed Commonwealth Day. In 1973, the Commonwealth Secretariat chose the 2nd Monday of March to celebrate this day worldwide.

26. International Day of Action for Women’s Health – 28th May

The first celebration took place in 1987. The idea is to raise awareness about women’s health. The theme for 2020 was “Our Health, Our Rights, Our Lives!”.

27. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – 29th May

This day is to commemorate the peacekeepers who died serving the country. The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization began its operations on 29th May 1948.

The United Nations General Assembly made this day official in 2002. The theme for 2020 was “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace”.

28. International Mount Everest Day – 29th May

The first summit on MT. Everest took place on May 29, 1953, by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. Nepal took the initiative to celebrate this day in 2008 after Hillary’s death. This day is to celebrate the achievement of climbing Everest.

29. Anti-Tobacco Day – 31st May

The main aim is to raise awareness about the negative effects of tobacco. The WHO took the initiative to start this day in 1987. The first celebration took place in 1988.

They encourage the government to introduce strict laws to stop tobacco production. The theme for 2020 was “Tobacco and related industry tactics to attract younger generations”.

30. National Memorial Day – Last Monday of May

It is to honor the personnel who died serving the US military. It became official in 1971. The National Memorial concert is held every year to celebrate this day. This year’s concert will pay tribute to frontline corona warriors.

National Events in May

Let us now see some common National Events in May month.

1. Maharashtra Day – 1st May

The state of Maharashtra came into being on 1st May 1960. It became the 15th state of the Indian Union. This was mainly due to intense agitations by Samyukta Maharastra Andolan.

The bifurcation of Bombay presidency into the Marathi speaking region of Maharashtra and Gujarat speaking areas of Gujarat took place in 1960. Y.B. Chavan was the first Chief Minister of this state. This day marks the anniversary of this division.

2. Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti – 7th May

Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7th May 1861 in Calcutta, Bengal. He was famous for his poems, writing, music composing, and painting. He was the first non-European who won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

He’s the composer of the National Anthem of India “ Jana Gana Mana”. Some of his notable works are Gitanjali, Gora, Ghare-Baire, Jana Gana Mana, Rabindra Sangeet, and Amar Shonar Bangla.

3. National Technology Day – 11th May

The Pokhran-II tests five nuclear bomb test explosions which took place from 11th-13th May 1998. This day marks the anniversary of this achievement. The idea is to highlight the technological achievements made by the country.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee made this day official in 1999. This day comes under the Technology Development Board of India. The theme for 2020 was “Rebooting the economy through Science and Technology”.

4. National Anti-Terrorism Day – 21st May

The assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi took place on 21st May 1991. The idea is to promote peace, humanity, unity, and harmony. And make people aware of the negative outcomes of terrorism. The V.P. Singh government made this day official in 1991 only.

Conclusion

These were a few important events which took place in May. All the important facts and figures were there in the list above. You must remember these May events and dates if you are going to appear for exams like – UPSC, RRB, SSC or any other government exams.