The year is filled with special days to celebrate many different things. Ever wonder why? Let’s look at some special days in May.
Mother’s Day
It’s easy to understand Mother’s Day. Mothers are special people who should be celebrated every day!
Mother’s Day is a holiday that celebrates mothers and motherhood. It started in the United States. The holiday was founded in 1908 by Anna Jarvis. Mother’s Day was first made to celebrate a person’s own mother. Now it is made to celebrate all mothers and motherhood in general. It is celebrated in different times in different countries. In the United States of America, it is the second Sunday in May. Children can make cards and a lot of other things for their mother.
The idea for Mother’s Day started in the 1850s. Ann Reeves Jarvis had mother’s day work clubs where women tried to fight disease and bad milk. They also helped make hurt soldiers better during the Civil War. After the war, Ann made Mother’s Day Friendship picnics and Mother’s Friendship Day for the women from both sides of the war.
In 1908 after her mother died, Anna Jarvis made the first Mother’s Day celebration in Grafton, West Virginia. People also celebrated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and many other cities. For six years, Anna made the celebration bigger until President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday in 1914.
VE Day
Victory Day (also shortened as V-Day) is a common name of many different public holidays in various countries. In most cases it is to honor victories in important battles or wars in the countries’ history. For example, in Russia, it is celebrated on May 9th for the defeat of Nazi Germany in what Russia calls “The Great Patriotic War” (World War II).
For the United States and Britain, the victory in Europe (celebrated as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day) was only part of the victory. It is celebrated on May 8th (May 7th in the United Kingdom).
The war in the Pacific did not end for the US and Britain until the Japanese surrender on Sept. 2, 1945. This is celebrated as Victory over Japan Day or V-J Day. This part of the war is usually not studied by Russians.
In France, their Victory Day also celebrated the end of World War II and is celebrated on May 8, 1945, when Charles de Gaulle announced the end of the war.
Cinco de Mayo
May 5 is Cinco de May. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a holiday celebrating Mexican heritage and pride, and is held on May 5. It is celebrated in the United States and in some parts of Mexico, mostly in the state of Puebla. OK, but why celebrate that?
In the Mexican state of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated because the Mexican army won the Battle of Puebla from the French army on May 5, 1862. This was a surprising victory. The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons. First, although considerably outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much-better-equipped French army.
In the United States Cinco de Mayo is more important than in Mexico. It is a day to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry. This is in the same way as other holidays like Saint Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry.
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by many Americans, not only by Americans of Mexican origin. Celebrations use both traditional Mexican symbols, like the Virgen de Guadalupe, and prominent figures with Mexican roots in the United States, including César Chávez. Many people display Cinco de Mayo banners while schools organize events to educate pupils about Mexico.
Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially its music and regional dancing.
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