Holidays in May 2011, Do They Require Gifts and Cards

Observances, Celebrations, or Events That Occur in the Month of May 2011.~ Do all of the holidays deserve gifts and cards? Not all holidays are created equal, and what exactly is the purpose of these observances, celebrations, or events? Giving gifts and cards in observance of these various holidays is not always necessary, but it can be a nice gesture and sometimes receiving a gift or card makes the day that much more special.Here they are: MAY 2011May Day – May 1st.
Law Day – May 1st
Loyalty Day – May 1st
National Day of Prayer – May 3rd. (1st Thursday of the Month)
Cinco de Mayo – May 5th
Joining of Hands Day – May 5th
Teachers Day – May 8th, first full week in May.
Nurses Day – May 8th.
Peace Officers Memorial Day – May 15th.
National Defense Transportation Day – may 18th, (3rd Friday in May)
Armed Forces Day, May 21st. (3rd Saturday of May)
Victoria Day, May 23rd (The Monday before the 24th)
Shavou’ot – May 27th
Ascension Day – (This day varies with different religious beliefs)
Police Week – Week of May 15th
National Safe Boating Week – May 25th (7 day period ending on last Fri before Memorial Day)
National Transportation Week – Week of May 18th
Memorial Day May 30th
Steelmark Month
National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
Asian/Pacific American Heritage MonthNow, if you are anything like me, many of these special events sound foreign, and others although they sound familiar I have no idea what the purposes behind them were until researching them.I’m writing this article to share that information with you. To help open the doors to information that may someday be important to you. And if not, just the opportunity to share some interesting information with some great people. Thanks for reading!1. Patriots Day: Why it is celebrated in May, I am not exactly sure… Observed in the commonwealth of Massachusetts and Maine to Patriots’ Day is a civic holiday observed in the commonwealth of Massachusetts and Maine. It pays tribute to the American Revolutionary War, fought on April 19, 1775.2. May Day: Occurring on May 1st marks various public holidays such as: International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, political demonstrations and celebrations organized by communists, anarchists, socialists, unionists, and other activist groups. In general however; it is considered an International Workers Day.3. Law Day: is also celebrated on May 1st. Law Day is celebrated only in the United Sates. It is a celebration to show our loyalty to the United Sates and allows the people of the U.S. to rededicate their ideals, equality, and justice under law in relation to each other and other countries. On this day the government is to display our flag on all Government Buildings.4. Loyalty Day: Also celebrated on May 1st. Loyalty day is very similar to Law Day, however it incorporates celebrating our Heritage as well.5. National Day of Prayer: celebrated on May 3rd. I found it interesting that the President is actually the person to declare the National Day of Prayer. This day is celebrated on the first Thursday each May. This day is a day designated for the people of the United States turn to prayer and meditation either at church, in groups or as individuals.6. Cinco de Mayo: celebrated on May 5th it celebrates the victorious battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862 and is a national holiday in Mexico, but also celebrated in the United States.7. Joining Hands Day: Celebrated on the first Saturday of May, this is a day to make a difference throughout your community by joining in on helpful projects that help youths connect with adults. It is a great way to volunteer and connect adults and children. For example, having a group of children/teens visit a nursing home and share in a craft project.8. National Teachers Day: Celebrated throughout the first full week in May, with an official day being the first Tuesday in May. This special day is a weeklong event celebrating and honoring teachers.9. Nurses Day: Also a weeklong celebration with an official day being on May 8th. This much needed holiday begins on May 6th and ends on May 12th (Florence Nightingale’s Birthday). The holiday gives us the opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions that our nurses make in our communities.10. Mothers Day: This May 8th celebration is dear to all whom have ever known what it is like to have a loving mom. This day plainly stated is the national day to celebrate the woman around us who are either moms, will be moms, or have cared for a loved one as a mom.11. Police Week: Celebrated the week of May 15th. This week is week to recognize our police officers. These men and women stand guard and protect the people of the United states. This is also a day that the flag is flown at halfstaff.12. Peace Officers Memorial Day: May 15th is designated to honor the Federal, State and local officers kill or disabled in the line of duty. On this day the flag will be flown at halfstaff, state and local government operations will recognize this day with ceremonies and activities.13. National Safe Boating Week: starts the week of May 25th and runs a seven day period ending on the last Friday before Memorial Day. It is just what it states.14. Armed Forces Day: celebrated this year on May 21st, typically celebrated on the third Saturday of the May. This is a day to honor and take notice of our military forces in our great nation. This day is celebrated throughout the world.15. National Maritime Day: May 22nd is a day to observe Maritime heritage and honor for the men and women who serve and have served in the marines.16. Victoria Day: May 23rd is a Canadian holiday celebrated before Monday, May 24th (Queen Victoria’s Birthday). This holiday is usually recognized and celebrated with fireworks and is considered an unofficial beginning to summer. In Canada this holiday is when summer parks and businesses open.17. National Transportation Week – begins the week of May 18th. This week will always include the third Friday of may. The people of the United States are invited to hold and attend ceremonies and events as a tribute to men and woman who move goods and people throughout the United States.18. Shavou’ot – May 27th is the day of Shavou’ot. This is one of the Jewish holidays considered to be a High Holy Day. It is the Festival of Weeks, and is the second of three major festivals with a historical and agricultural significance. Historically, it is the celebration of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and agriculturally, it is the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits).19. Steelmark Month: May is the month of SteelMark. This has been put into place to recognize the contribution made by the steel industry in the United States, National Security and Defense.20. Ascension Day: This is a religious holiday, marked by the day Jesus ascended to Heaven 40 days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. This day varies based on their religious beliefs.21. Memorial Day: May 30th means a day off from work for most. However the meaning behind this symbolic day is a day we remember those men and woman whom have served and died for our country.22. National Physical Fitness & Sports Month23. Asian/Pacific American Heritage MonthNow not all these special days that are celebrated throughout the United States and other countries are reason to run out and buy gifts and cards for people. Personally I’d be broke if I was to do that, but it is nice to recognize those around us who are touched by each one of these special occasions.Sometimes all it takes is some words of kindness to recognize the occasion and to help make a person feel special, loved or even just liked.