Important Days in May 2024: National and International Dates List in May

Important Days in May 2024: May, the fifth month of the year host various festivals, birth anniversaries, and events of national and international importance across the world. Let us have a look at all the national and international events and their importance.

Important Days and Dates in May 2024: India is a hierarchical society and offers astounding variety in virtually every aspect of life. Lots of diversities are observed whether ethnic, linguistic, regional, economic, religious, class and caste groups, etc. 

Important Days and events are an important part of the preparation for any competitive examination. So, below we are describing the list of important National, International days, events and festivals that will help in the preparation of various examinations like SSC, Bank PO, PSC etc. This will also give you an idea about the events that fall in the month of May.

List of Important Days and Dates in May 2024

1 May: International Labour Day or May Day

International Labour Day is also known as Labour Day or May Day. It is celebrated globally every year on the 1st of May. In India, Labour Day is referred to as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din. What is the history behind celebrating this day etc. given in the link provided?

1 May: Maharashtra Day

It is also known as Maharashtra Diwas in Marathi. It is a state holiday in Maharashtra. The state of Maharashtra was formed from the division of the Bombay State on 1 May 1960.

1 May: Gujarat Day

It is a state holiday in Gujarat. The state of Gujarat was formed on 1 May 1960.

2 May- World Tuna Day

It is observed on 2 May and is established by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness about the importance of tuna fish.

2 May - World Asthma Day (First Tuesday of May)

World Asthma Day is observed every year on the first Tuesday of May to spread awareness and care about asthma in the world. An annual event is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammation of bronchitis causing cough, breathlessness, chest tightness etc. 

3 May - Press Freedom Day

Every year Press Freedom Day or World Press Freedom Day is observed on 3rd May to evaluate press freedom around the world and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. 

4 May – Coal Miners Day

Every year on 4 May, Coal Miners Day is observed to honour the coal miners. Let us tell you that Coal mining is done to extract coal from the ground. Coal Mining is one of India's most dangerous professions. Coal Miners are the men who know that they may not return home back after work when the day is over. Then, also they walk in the coal mines and earn their daily wages.

4 May - International Firefighter’s Day

International Firefighter’s Day is observed every year on 4 May. It was instituted on 4 January 1999 after a proposal via email out across the world due to the deaths of five firefighters in a bushfire in Australia. Therefore, this day is observed to recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.

5 May - World Laughter Day (first Sunday of May)

World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year. In 1998, the first celebration took place in Mumbai, India. It was arranged by Dr Madan Kataria founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement.

6 May - International No Diet Day

It is observed on May 6 annually. It is a celebration of body acceptance, including fat acceptance and body shape diversity. 

7 May - World Athletics Day

World Athletics Day is observed on 7 May to raise awareness about sports among youth, in schools and institutions to promote athletics as the primary sport. And to introduce new talent and youngsters in the field of athletics.

8 May - World Red Cross Day

World Red Cross Day is observed every year on 8 May to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of the Red Cross. Let us tell you that the founder of the Red Cross was Henry Dunant as well as the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He was born in Geneva in 1828. He became the first recipient of the 1st Nobel Peace Prize.

8 May - World Thalassaemia Day

World Thalassaemia Day or International Thalassaemia Day is observed every year on 8 May in honour of all patients suffering from Thalassaemia and for their parents who have never lost hope for life, despite the burden of their disease. This day also encourages those who struggle to live with the disease. 

8 May – Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti

As per drikpanchang, the day of Boishakh 25th currently overlaps with either the 8th May or

9th May on the Gregorian calendar. As per the Gregorian calendar, it is observed on May 7 May in other states. He was born on 7 May 1861 in Kolkata. He was one of India's top artists, novelists, authors, Bengali poets, humanists, philosophers etc. In 1913, he was honoured with Nobel Prize in Literature.

10 May- World Lupus Day

Every year on May 10, people worldwide observe World Lupus Day. Its purpose was to make us more aware of the fact that the seemingly unrelated symptoms are actually signs of a chronic, crippling autoimmune disease. 

11 May - National Technology Day

Every year National Technology Day is observed on 11 May to highlight the important role of Science in our daily lives and encourage students to opt for science as an option for a career. On this day Shakti, the Pokhran nuclear test was held on 11 May 1998.

12 May - International Nurses Day

Every year International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May to commemorate the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birthday. This day also celebrates the contribution done by nurses to society around the world. On this day the International Council of Nurses organisation produces an International Nurses kit to educate and assist health workers globally with a different theme every year.

12 May - Mother's Day (Second Sunday of May)

Mother's Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May to honour motherhood and is observed in different forms throughout the world. Mother's Day was founded by Anna Jarvis who had given the idea of celebrating Mother's Day in honour of mothers and motherhood in 1907. Nationally this day was recognised in 1914.

15 May – International Day of Families

International Day of Families is observed every year on 15 May. Family is the basic unit of society. This day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the issues related to families and to increase knowledge about the social, economic and demographic processes that affect them. 

16 May- National Dengue Day

The day is observed (16 May) with the recommendation of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Dengue is prevalent across the country. This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, awareness campaigns, rallies, etc. regarding Dengue is not organised in the country but can be spread through online.

16 May- International Day of Light

Every year on May 16, people around the world observe the International Day of Light. The day honours the date of physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman's first productive laser operation in 1960. UNESCO's International Basic Science Programme (I.B.S.P.) coordinates the day's celebration on behalf of the United Nations.

17 May – World Telecommunication Day

World Telecommunication Day is observed every year on 17 May. It marks the founding of ITU when the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris on 17 May 1865. It is also known as World Telecommunication and International Society Day. Since 1969, it has been celebrated annually. 

17 May - World Hypertension Day

This day is celebrated by World Hypertension League (WHL) on 17 May annually. The day promotes awareness about hypertension and encourages people to prevent and control this silent killer epidemic. 

17 May - National Endangered Species Day (Third Friday in May)

Every year on the third Friday in May National Endangered Species Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and restoration efforts for all imperilled species. Endangered Species Act 1973, focuses on the protection of wildlife and threatened species.

18 May – World AIDS Vaccine Day

Worlds AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is observed every year on 18 May. This day marks the efforts of thousands of researchers, scientists, and health professionals who have contributed to the process of finding safe and effective AIDS medicine. It is also an opportunity to educate communities about the importance of preventive HIV vaccine research.

18 May - International Museum Day

International Museum Day is observed on 18 May every year to raise awareness about the museum and its role in society. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) created International Museum Day in 1977. The organisation suggested a proper theme every year which may include globalisation, bridging cultural gaps and care for the environment. 

18 May – Armed Forces Day (Third Saturday of the May)

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of every May. This day is celebrated to pay tribute to the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces.

21 May – National Anti-Terrorism Day

National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed every year on 21 May to spread awareness about the violence caused by terrorists and also in memory of former Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi who passed on this day.

22 May - International Day for Biological Diversity

International Day for Biological Diversity is observed on 22 May every year to increase awareness and understanding of the issues of biodiversity. 

23 May - Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima

It is believed that on the full moon of the month of Vaishakh, Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini near Kapilavastu. He is also known as 'Jyoti Punj of Asia' or 'Light of Asia'. This year, Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is celebrated on 23 May.

May 23 - World Turtle Day

It is observed annually on May 23 to spread awareness regarding protecting turtles and tortoises and also their disappearing habitats across the world. The day promises a better future where humans and turtles can coexist peacefully.

May 24- National Brother's Day

Brother's Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated mostly in the US on May 24. The day was founded to celebrate the marvellous relationship between brothers and sisters.

May 25- Africa Day

An annual celebration of African independence, sovereign rule, and identity is known as African Liberation Day or Africa Day. The day serves as the founding day of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963. In 1958, Accra, Ghana's capital, hosted the first commemoration of African Liberation Day. 

27 May - National Memorial Day (last Monday of May)

Memorial Day is observed every year on the last Monday of May. This year it falls on May 29. The day honours and remembers the fallen American Military personnel. 

30 May- Goa Statehood Day

Goa, a beautiful state on the west coast of India is celebrating its 36th Statehood this year.  In 1976, the Goa Assembly issued a resolution seeking complete statehood; it was later recognised on May 30, 1987. 

30 May- Hindi Journalism Day

The first newspaper in the Hindi language, Udant Martand was published on May 30. Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla started it as a weekly newspaper from Calcutta on 30 May 1826.

31 May – Anti-Tobacco Day

Anti-Tobacco Day or World No Tobacco Day is observed on 31 May every year across the globe to make people aware and educate them about the harmful effects of tobacco on health which causes cardiovascular diseases, cancer, tooth decay, staining of teeth etc.