Culture & Curiosities of May
This Greek goddess of fertility and growth is who the month of May is named after.
Who is Maia?
Celebrated on May 4, this unofficial holiday honors a galaxy far, far away.
What is Star Wars Day?
This green gemstone is May’s birthstone and symbolizes rebirth and love.
What is an emerald?
This British queen, born May 24, 1819, ruled for over 63 years.
Who is Queen Victoria?
This artist’s visual album dominated pop‑culture conversation throughout May 2016,—quite literally turning lemons into lemonade.
Who is Beyoncé?
This iconic New York skyscraper officially opened on May 1, 1931.
What is the Empire State Building?
This labor‑focused holiday is celebrated on May 1 in many countries around the world.
What is May Day (International Workers’ Day)?
This May 5 holiday marks Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
In May, daylight increases rapidly in the Northern Hemisphere due to this approaching seasonal event.
What is the summer solstice?
This British singer, born May 5, is known for record‑breaking Grammy wins and powerhouse vocals.
Who is Adele?
The final episode of this TV sitcom aired on May 6, 2004.
What is Friends?
In May 1883, this famous bridge opened, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn.
What is the Brooklyn Bridge?
This pair of explorers began a historic expedition westward for the United States in May 1804.
Who are Lewis and Clark?
This U.S. holiday dates back to early 20th‑century activism and is now observed annually on the second Sunday of May.
What is Mother’s Day?
This meteor shower peaks in early May and is linked to Halley’s Comet.
What are the Eta Aquariids?
This president, born May 29, was the youngest elected U.S. president and served during the height of the Cold War.
Who is John F. Kennedy?
This fizzy drink was invented in May 1886 by John S. Pemberton.
What is Coca‑Cola?
This iconic film festival premieres new movies every May in France.
What is the Cannes Film Festival?
This famous scientist bought a giant Maypole in 1713 to help support a telescope.
Who is Isaac Newton?
Observed in the United States on the last Monday of May, this federal holiday honors military members who died while serving.
What is Memorial Day?
This zodiac sign begins on May 21.
What is Gemini?
Born May 24, this musician later won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first songwriter to receive the honor.
Who is Bob Dylan?
On May 25, 1977, this groundbreaking space‑themed movie premiered, launching one of the most successful film franchises of all time.
What is Star Wars (A New Hope)?
This Southern California park debuted in May 1955 and became the prototype for a global entertainment empire.
What is Disneyland?
This U.S. spacecraft made the first successful soft landing on the Moon on May 30, 1966.
What is Surveyor 1?
Celebrated on May 1 in Hawaii, this day shares its date with a global spring festival and honors a traditional floral symbol.
What is Lei Day?
This May birth flower represents happiness and humility.
What is Lily of the Valley?
Born May 27, this pop icon is known as the “Queen of Pop”.
Who is Madonna?
This royal wedding took place in May 2018 and was watched by nearly 2 billion people worldwide.
Who are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
A wedding episode that aired in May 1997 helped make this sitcom the most‑watched in U.S. television history at the time.
What is the Friends season‑four finale (Ross and Emily’s London wedding)?