May 2024 Calendar (United Kingdom)

Calendar for May 2024 (United Kingdom): May is the fifth month of the year, with 31 days filled with celebrations and holidays. According to the Calendar, May 2024 has 22 work days in total. It features the new moon on 8th May. The first quarter starts on 15th May and the full moon can be observed on 23rd May and 3rd quarter can be observed on 30th May. In this article, we’ll explore all the exciting holidays in May 2024 and we will discover some special days like May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Word Press Freedom Day, World No Tobacco Day & World Laughter Day.

Let’s take a closer look at the joyous moments and important occasions this May has in store for us.

May 2024 Calendar of the United Kingdom

May 2024
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31

May 2024 Holidays and Celebrations

Date	Event
01 May, 2024 – WED	May Day
02 May 2024 – THU	World Password Day
02 May 2024 – THU	International Harry Potter Day
02 May 2024 – THU	World Tuna Day
03 May, 2024 – FRI	World Press Freedom Day
04 May, 2024 – SAT	Star Wars Day
04 May, 2024 – SAT	Free Comic Book Day
05 May, 2024 – SUN	Cinco de Mayo
05 May, 2024 – SUN	Hedgehog Awareness Week
05 May, 2024 – SUN	World Laughter Day
05 May, 2024 – SUN	African World Heritage Day
05 May, 2024 – SUN	International Day of the Midwife
05 May, 2024 – SUN	World Portuguese Language Day
08 May, 2024 – WED	World Red Cross Day
08 May, 2024 – WED	National Receptionists Day
08 May, 2024 – WED	International Thalassaemia Day
09 May 2024 – THU	Ascension Day
10 May, 2024 – FRI	World Lupus Day
11 May, 2024 – SAT	Fair Trade Day
12 May, 2024 – SUN	National Limerick Day
12 May, 2024 – SUN	International Nurses Day
13 May, 2024 – MON	World Cocktail Day
15 May, 2024 – WED	International Day of Families
16 May, 2024 – THU	International Day of Light
17 May, 2024 – FRI	Endangered Species Day
17 May, 2024 – FRI	World Hypertension Day
18 May, 2024 – SAT	International Museum Day
18 May, 2024 – SAT	World Whisky (Whiskey) Day
19 May, 2024 – SUN	Pentecost
19 May, 2024 – SUN	World Baking Day
20 May, 2024 – MON	National Rescue Dog Day
20 May, 2024 – MON	Whit Monday
20 May, 2024 – MON	World Bee Day
21 May, 2024 – TUE	International Tea Day
21 May, 2024 – TUE	World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
22 May, 2024 – WED	International Day for Biological Diversity
23 May, 2024 – THU	World Turtle Day
24 May, 2024 – FRI	World Schizophrenia Day
25 May, 2024 – SAT	Shavuot
25 May, 2024 – SAT	International Missing Children’s Day
26 May, 2024 – SUN	Trinity Sunday
27 May, 2024 – MON	Spring bank holiday
28 May, 2024 – TUE	World Blood Cancer Day
29 May, 2024 – WED	International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
30 May, 2024 – THU	Corpus Christi
30 May, 2024 – THU	National Creativity Day
30 May, 2024 – THU	World Multiple Sclerosis Day
31 May, 2024 – FRI	World No Tobacco Day

Highlighting Celebration Days in May

1. Cinco De Mayo (Sunday, May 05, 2024)

• Cinco De Mayo is celebrated on May 5 each year to remember when Mexicans defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862.
• The term “Cinco de Mayo” means “the fifth of May.” It’s more popular in the United States than in Mexico and is a way to celebrate Mexican culture in America.
• Cinco de Mayo is not a public holiday, so schools and businesses stay open.
• Celebrations in the US started in California in 1863 by Mexican miners wanting to celebrate the victory.
• Cinco De Mayo gained national attention in the 1940s during the Chicano movement and became popular in the 1980s.
• The celebrations focus on Mexican culture, food, and music, featuring Baile Folklorico and mariachi demonstrations.
• Now, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated worldwide, including in Australia, the United Kingdom, and any place with a Mexican community or people who enjoy Mexican food and culture.
• Decorations and banners can be found, and schools often have events and activities to teach students about the history and cultural importance of Cinco de Mayo.

2. May Day (Wednesday, May 01, 2024)

• May Day is a worldwide celebration on 1st May. In the US and many other places, it’s closely linked to Labor Day and International Worker’s Day.
• Some European countries, like the UK, connect May Day more with ancient celebrations like Beltane, a Gaelic festival.
• Unions and organizations chose May 1 as a day for annual strikes. Between 1881 and 1884, about 150,000 people went on strike on May Day. As the movement grew, so did the number of participants, reaching 250,000 in 1885 and around 600,000 in 1886, advocating for an eight-hour working day.
• In Chicago during a notable strike, violence erupted, resulting in several deaths. Instead of stopping the movement, this tragedy fueled its momentum and increased global awareness of May Day strikes.
• In 1890, May Day was officially recognized as an international day for workers, cementing its status in the calendar.

3. World Press Freedom Day (Friday, May 03, 2024)

• Every May 3rd, we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, a United Nations holiday dedicated to honoring and promoting freedom of the press.
• The day raises awareness about the importance of press freedom and reminds governments of their responsibility to uphold the human right to freedom of expression.
• Journalists and media professionals often risk their lives and freedom in pursuit of their stories. Some countries imprison journalists to prevent the release of certain information. World Press Freedom Day aims to stop such actions and honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
• Each year, the United Nations celebrates World Press Freedom Day with a different theme. Recent themes include “Journalism without Fear or Favour,” “Information as a Public Good,” “Journalism under Digital Siege,” and “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights.”
• In some countries, publications are censored or suspended for reporting news, and journalists face harassment, arrest, and attacks while investigating and reporting stories.
• World Press Freedom Day reminds governments of their duty to respect press freedom and assesses the state of press freedom in specific countries.
• The day encourages discussions among journalists and media professionals about ethics and press freedom issues, providing support to news channels that face government censorship.
• It’s also an opportunity to pay tribute to those who risked or lost their lives while delivering information to the public.

4. World Laughter Day (Sunday, May 05, 2024)

• The first Sunday of May is celebrated as World Laughter Day, a special day that highlights the benefits of laughter and promotes global peace through laughter.
• Laughter is a powerful tool that instantly reduces stress and brings people closer, fostering a sense of shared happiness. Participants in World Laughter Day contribute to spreading positivity and joy, hoping to make a positive impact on the world.
• Laughing is more than just fun; it has serious benefits for well-being and mental health. World Laughter Day aims to encourage more laughter and celebrate its positive effects. Here are some benefits:
  1. Endorphin Release: Laughing triggers the release of endorphins, natural painkillers that can boost mood and alleviate chronic pain.
  2. Stress Reduction: Laughter lowers the stress hormone levels, helping to decrease stress and anxiety, leading to a more relaxed feeling.
  3. Relationship Building: Sharing laughter with others strengthens bonds, making it easier to make friends, reconcile with someone you’ve disagreed with, and enhance intimacy in couples.
  4. Heart Health Improvement: Laughter acts as a simple cardiovascular workout, getting the heart pumping. Simultaneously, it lowers blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attacks.
• World Laughter Day encourages people to embrace laughter for its positive impact on both physical and mental well-being.

5. World No Tobacco Day (Friday, May 31, 2024)

• World No Tobacco Day is marked annually on May 31st, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), governments, and NGOs. The aim is to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use and promote a tobacco-free world.
• An international campaign is organized to raise awareness about the hazards of smoking, ways to quit, and the benefits of leading a healthy life without tobacco.
• On this day, WHO encourages smokers to go tobacco-free for 24 hours, emphasizing the goal of making every day a no-tobacco day.
• Smoking doesn’t just impact the smoker; it also affects those around them and the environment.
• NGOs, health groups, and communities actively participate, creating anti-smoking campaigns or events to raise awareness and motivate people to go tobacco-free.
• Each year, a different theme is chosen for World No Tobacco Day, focusing on the dangers of smoking. Past themes include “Tobacco and lung health,” “Tobacco- Grow Food Not Tobacco.”, “Tobacco Exposed: The Secret’s Out,” “Commit to Quit,” and “Protect The Environment.”
• Smoking is a preventable cause of disease and death, with over 6 million people dying annually from tobacco use. Additionally, an estimated 600,000 lives are lost each year due to second-hand smoke, with 80% of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income households.
• The financial burden of tobacco is significant, with the average smoker spending around $4,000 annually, contributing to the perpetuation of poverty.

Conclusion

May 2024 promises to be a month filled with diverse celebrations and significant holidays. May this month be filled with laughter, freedom, cultural appreciation, and moments of reflection, making it a time to remember and cherish. Notable events like May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Word Press Freedom Day, World No Tobacco Day & World Laughter Day remind us of the rich culture and history that makes April special.

FAQs on Calendar for May 2024 (United Kingdom)

What is the calendar match for 2024?

The 2024 calendar will be a perfectly identical match to the 1996 calendar. The seven years that share the same calendar in the current 200-year timeframe include 1940, 1968, 1996, 2024, 2052, 2080 and 2120.

List some notable events in May 2024.

Notable events like May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Word Press Freedom Day, World No Tobacco Day & World Laughter Day remind us of the rich cultural and history that makes April special.

How many bank holidays are there in 2024 UK?

There are 8 bank holidays in 2024 UK.

What holiday is on May 24, 2024?

It’s Brother’s Day, Don’t Fry Day, National Scavenger Hunt Day, National Road Trip Day, National Escargot Day… and much more!

Is 2024 is a leap year?

2024 is a leap year. It means this year will have 366 days instead of 365, and the second month, February, will have 29 days instead of 28. Generally, a leap year comes every four years. The last leap year was 2020, while the next leap year will be 2028.

When New moon and Full moon will be observed in May 2024?

New moon will observed on 15th of may and full moon is observed on 23rd of may.