One of the more beautiful months of the year, May is known to be a month of flowers, spring and the return of the sun and warmth in the Northern Hemisphere.
It is also known as an important month in other regards, and not just because of Mother’s Day. So, what are some of the more interesting facts about the fifth month of the year?
1. Spring and Growth
The month of May got its start thanks to the Roman Empire. Originally, the early Romans celebrated May as the third month of the year but when the beginning of the year was moved to January 1, May became the fifth month. As for the name, May most likely comes from the mythological goddess of spring and growth; Maia. However, the Roman poet Ovid believed that the name of May came from the Latin word ‘majores’, which meant ‘elders’. He also theorized that the month of June got its name from ‘juniores’ or ‘young people’.
May is one of the seven months that have 31 days but it has some interesting facts related to its placement of days. First, no other month of the year begins on the same day of the week as May does. The only other month to share this unique trait is June. It should be noted however that in leap years, August and October share this trait.
2. The Birthstone of the Month
May has a truly beautiful birthstone associated with it; the emerald. There are some interesting things related to this green gem, including:
• Emeralds are typically given away on the 55th wedding anniversary of a couple.
• Emeralds from Colombia are considered to be the most beautiful in the world. Other countries that have good emeralds include India, South Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and Zimbabwe.
• Emeralds were traditionally believed to provide enhanced clairvoyance to the wearers of the emerald.
• Egyptians began to use the emerald around 4,000 years ago but these were sub-par emeralds compared with the emeralds we have today. Mummies were even buried with the emeralds in their tombs. The Romans were very fond of emeralds as well.
• It was believed that wearing an emerald would promote health and enhance love between two individuals.
3. Superstitions Related to May
There are actually several superstitions related with May, some of which do not make too much sense. Most of these superstitions are no longer strongly believed but in the past many considered them to be facts.
• According to legend, when a woman washed her face with May dew all blemishes, freckles and pimples would be removed and she would become beautiful. As a result, every May 1st morning, women would rush outside to wash their faces in the May dew
• Another superstition is “Marry in May, Rue The Day”. It was believed that May was an unlucky month, especially if you were to be married within the month. Further to this, children born in May were thought to be sickly children. The unluckiness apparently went to cats as well. Any cat born in May was thought to be useless for catching any rodent. Even if you bought a broom in May or washed a blanket during the month, it was believed you would lose a loved one. This was such a common belief that it turned up in a phrase; “Wash a blanket in May, wash a dear one away.”
• What are the unluckiest days in May• According to legend they are the 3rd, 6th, 7th, 13th, 15th and 20th
4. Important Events In May
May has seen some of the most important events in human history. These events have helped to shape the world as we know it. Some of these events include:
• The Empire State Building opened its doors on May 1, 1931.
• One of the largest companies in the world, and one of the first mega-corporations ever, the Hudson’s Bay Company, was chartered on May 2, 1670.
• The first U.S. Medical School opened in Philadelphia on May 3, 1765.
• The first postage stamp was issued in England on May 6, 1840.
• The United States was ushered into the First World War when the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine on May 7, 1915.
• Several states have entered the Union in May including Minnesota in 1858, South Carolina in 1788, Rhode Island in 1790 and Wisconsin in 1848.
• In addition to the United States entering World War One in May, they also declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846.
• Israel became an independent country on May 14, 1948.
• Several people have begun great journeys in May including Amelia Earhart who became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, Lewis and Clark who began their trip on the Missouri River in 1804, Charles Lindbergh performed the first trans-Atlantic solo flight in 1927 and Christopher Columbus began his third voyage in 1498.
• The first vaccination against smallpox happened on May 14, 1796.
• The United States began its first regular airmail service on May 15, 1918.
• The first Democratic National Convention was held on May 21, 1832.
• The Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic on May 24, 1883.
• The Constitutional Convention opened on May 25, 1787 with the election of George Washington as president.
• The American Red Cross was started on May 21, 1881.
• The first English settlement in America was established on May 24, 1607.
5. Great People Born in May
Some of the most important individuals in human history have been born in May. From great authors to revolutionaries, politicians to adventurers, there is a wide mix of historical figures who celebrate birthdays in May.
• Catherine the Great was born on May 2, 1729.
• The author of The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli, was born on May 3, 1469.
• Robert Peary, the great Arctic explorer, was born on May 6, 1856.
• Revolutionary Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818.
• Two presidents have been born in May; John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, while Harry S. Truman was born on May 8, 1884.
• King Gustavus I of Sweden was born on May 12, 1496.
• Florence Nightingale, an English nurse, was born on May 12, 1820.
• Gabriel Fahrenheit, a German physicist, was born on May 14, 1686.
• Co-discoverer of radium, Pierre Curie, was born on May 15, 1859.
• John Hopkins, an American philanthropist, was born May 19, 1795.
• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, was born on May 22, 1859.
• Laurence Olivier, a well-known British actor, was born on May 22, 1907.
• Walt Whitman, American poet, was born on May 31, 1819.
May is a very special month for many individuals thanks to the longer days of sunshine, warmer weather and introduction to summer. Now as you venture through May, you can think about the famous dates, legends and events that make up this fifth month of the year.
The final Curious © phrase:
“Isn't it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fool's Day and ends with cries of "May Day!"?”
(Unknown)
