CELEBRATIONS
THIS MONTH

May 1

May Day

May 1 is the traditional day to celebrate the return of spring, crown a May queen, dance around the maypole, and perform mummers' plays. In Great Britain, the custom of "bringing in the May" involves gathering "knots," or branches with buds, on the eve or early morning of May 1. Favorite branches are hawthorn, rowan, or mountain ash. In the United States, we often select forsythia, lilac, or pussy willow branches to bring spring and the prospect of new life into our homes.

May 5

Cinco de Mayo

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, "The Fifth of May", celebrates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862. Make a piñata and fill it with goodies. Have a fiesta and invite your friends to help break the piñata and share the goodies. Play Mexican music and eat guacamole with your tacos or burritos. Viva Mexico!

ACTOR
BIRTHDAYS

George Clooney
May 6, 1961

Pierce Brosnan
May 16, 1953

Mike Myers
May 25, 1963

Rupert Everett
May 29, 1959

Clint Eastwood
May 31, 1930

QUESTION OF THE DAY In what year did Charles Dickens write A Christmas Carol?

MAY

Named for the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants. Also from the Latin word maiores, "elders," who were celebrated during this month.