Lag B’Omer (Jewish)
This Jewish holiday, which is believed to be the anniversary of a temporary victory by Bar Kochba’s men over the Romans, is today seen as a symbol of the fight for national independence. Festivities include bon fires and shooting bows and arrows.

Begins tonight at sundown

Observed: Annually the 33rd day after the first day of Passover.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore:
Motherhood & Mother’s Day
May 01 : 08 days till Mother’s Day

Did you know that more than 83 million mothers are living today in the United States?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are approximately 2 billion mothers living worldwide.

Did you know that in the United States, 56% of all women between the ages of 15 and 44 are mothers?

The percentage spikes to 82% for women between the ages of 40 and 44.

Mother’s Day is a time of commemoration and celebration for Mom. It is a time of breakfast in bed, family gatherings, and crayon scribbled “I Love You’s.” So join our Mother’s Day festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Mother’s Day on May 09th!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

May Day
May Day itself is really a day of multiple celebrations. While its a celebration of Springtime, traditionally celebrated with a Maypole, throughout most of the world May 01st is known as International Workers Day.

Similar to the US Labor Day, May Day has become an international celebration of the social and economic achievements of the working class and labor movement and is marked by massive street rallies led by workers, their trade unions, anarchists and various socialist and communist parties.*

* source: wikipedia: May Day
photo credit: May Day – samsaundersleeds

Join Hands Day
Join hands with young and old alike in this national day for community volunteering.

photo credit: via flickr

Welcome to the month of May!

Its spring and the garden’s in bloom. We’ve got Mother’s Day coming up, Stepmother’s Day too. As well as the traditional start of summer (Memorial Day). And lets not forget the guacamole and margaritas for Cinco de Mayo!

Here are some facts about the month of May

May has 31 days and is the 5th month of the year. May was named for the Greek goddess Maia, the Roman goddess of fertility.
Birthstone: Emerald
Flower: Lily of the Valley
Season: Spring
Horoscope: Taurus, Gemini

Important Observances:
May Day (01st), Stepmother’s Day (01st), Cinco de Mayo (05th), Mother’s Day (09th), Memorial Day (31st)

Noteable Birthdays:
Pres. Harry Truman (08)
Malcolm X (19)
Cher (20)
Sally Ride (26)
Pres. J F Kennedy (29)

Anniversaries:
V-E Day (08)
1st US Same-Sex Marriage (17)