An interactive cultural timeline

1st May : May Day

Pagan traditions in the English countryside.

1st May : May Day

Morris dancers. Photo Lewis (CC BY-NC-SA).
Maypole dance in historical costumes. Photo Heather (CC BY-NC-SA).

Traditional English May Day celebrations include Morris dancing, hobby horses, the crowning of a May Queen and dancing around a Maypole.
1st May : Save the Rhino Day

A day to remember that the rhinoceros is in great danger of extinction and to do something about it.

1st May : Save the Rhino Day

Save the Rhino. Photo Bruce Thomson (CC BY-NC-SA).
Rhino day. Photo D. Lee (CC BY).

The rhinoceros has been around roaming the Earth for about a million years, and is now disappearing fast, due to hunting for fun. Its horn is supposed to have magical powers. In fact it is made out of the same stuff as your fingernails. You can as well chew your own nails to acquire the same benefits instead of murdering an innocent animal. You can start discussions about rhinos, watch documentaries about endangered species or go and visit your local rhino, and generally remind everyone that nature –not only the spectacular rhinoceros- is a precious heritage that needs to be protected and maintained.
4th May : Star Wars Day

The cinema epic Star Wars will be recalled onthis special day.

4th May : Star Wars Day

Star Wars Cookies. Photo Betsy Weber (CC BY).
Star Wars Reads Day 2012. Photo Heather Miller (CC BY-ND).

The international community of cinema fans addicted to the Star Wars saga directed by Goerge Lucas will wear fancy costumes or spend the day or the night or both watching films they have already seen zillions of times before, practise fencing with their laser swords, play trivia quizz games about the series, or or or... May the Force be with You.
5th May : Cinco de Mayo - Mexican Heritage in America

The glory of Mexican history and the old friendship with the USA.

5th May : Cinco de Mayo - Mexican Heritage in America

Cinco de Mayo parade in Denver. Photo Obie frenandez (CC BY-NC-SA).
Happy Cinco de mayo. Photo Cowgirl111 (CC BY-NC-SA).

The Fifth of May remembers El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla, the battle of Puebla in Mexico on May 5, 1862.

Well equipped French forces were occupying Mexico to impose the archduke Maximilian von Hapsburg-Lorraine as Emperor of Mexico. They were beaten in Puebla by a smaller Mexican Republican militia. Three years later the French left Mexico under the pressure of the US government which helped President Juarez’s Mexican Republic.This victory is considered the beginning of Mexican independance and freedom.

It is a celebration of Mexican heritage, with music, songs, food and customs, even more popular among the Mexican community in the USA than in Mexico itself. It also reminds of the old friendship between the United States and Mexico.
Last Monday of May : Memorial Day (USA)

In memory of all those who fought and died for America.

Last Monday of May : US Memorial Day (USA)

Memorial Day USA at the Jefferson Barracks. Photo Geir Arne Hjelle (CC BY-NC-SA).

American Memorial Day is an official federal holiday. It honours the men and women who died while serving in the American military operations. It was first celebrated after the American Civil War that ended in 1865. Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting military cemeteries or memorials, there are family gatherings around veterans of wars and serving soldiers, people participate in military parades.
24th May : British Empire Day, or Commonwealth Day

The British Empire is nowadays a fraternal Commonwealth of Englishspeaking nations.

24th May : British Empire Day, or Commonwealth Day

Commonwealth day observance. Photo Commonwealth Secretariat (CC BY-NC-ND).
Commonwealth logo. Photo Commonwealth Secretariat (CC BY-NC-ND).

Established after the South African War, and held on Queen Victoria's birthday, 24 May, it was renamed Commonwealth Day in 1958.