May is a bit of a trickster. It sits there right in the middle of spring, looking all innocent with its blooming tulips and mild breezes, but if you actually dig into the history and the science of it, the month is chaotic. Honestly, most people just think of Mother’s Day or maybe a long weekend for Memorial Day. That’s barely scratching the surface. From the way the planet tilts to the bizarre ancient superstitions that still make people nervous about getting married in May, there is a lot going on here.
Let’s get into the weeds.
Interesting Facts for May That Change How You See Spring
Did you know that May was named after Maia? She was a Greek goddess, specifically the daughter of Atlas and the mother of Hermes. She represented fertility and growth, which makes sense for a month where everything is literally exploding out of the ground. But here is the thing: the Romans were also obsessed with the "Maiores," or the elders. Some historians argue that May was actually a month dedicated to old people, while June was for the "Iuniores" (young people).
It’s a weird tension. You have this month that celebrates new life and babies, but it's historically rooted in honoring the elderly.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, May is the peak of the green-up. This isn't just a vibe; it's a measurable biological event. According to data from the National Phenology Network, the "leaf-out" period in May is one of the most intense times for carbon sequestration on the planet. The trees are basically inhaling. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, though, you’re looking at the exact opposite. For them, May is the late autumn descent into winter. It’s a reminder that our "spring" facts are totally regional.
The "Marry in May" Superstition
This is one of those interesting facts for May that actually affected the economy for centuries. There is an old poet's rhyme that goes: "Marry in May, and you'll rue the day."
People took this seriously.
In Victorian England, wedding numbers plummeted every May. Why? Because the Romans believed May was an unlucky time for weddings. They held the Lemuria festival during this month, which was essentially a three-day window to appease the restless, "hungry" ghosts of the dead. You don't want ghosts at your wedding. You just don't. Even though we don't worship the Roman pantheon much these days, the "unlucky May bride" trope persisted well into the 20th century.
The Weird Science of May Birthdays
If you were born in May, science has some thoughts about you. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association looked at the birth months of nearly 1.7 million people. They found that people born in May actually had the lowest overall disease risk.
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Think about that.
While those born in October or November might have higher risks for certain respiratory or cardiovascular issues according to the data, May babies seem to be the "hardiest" in terms of statistical health outcomes. Also, if you’re a May baby, your birthstone is the emerald. It’s one of the rarest gems—more expensive than diamonds in some cases because high-quality emeralds without inclusions are basically unicorns.
Why the Calendar Doesn't Always Make Sense
We think of May as the fifth month. It wasn't always. In the original Roman calendar, it was actually the third month. January and February didn't even exist because the Romans essentially "ignored" winter. They just didn't count the days when no farming was happening. It was just a blank space of cold misery. When Numa Pompilius revised the calendar around 713 BCE, May got bumped down the line.
Speaking of the calendar, May 1st, or May Day, is probably the most politically and culturally loaded day of the month. It’s a weird mix of pagan fertility rites (dancing around the Maypole) and International Workers' Day.
The Maypole thing is fascinating. It’s essentially a giant phallic symbol—let’s be real—meant to ensure the crops grow. In the 1600s, the Puritans in England hated it. They actually banned Maypoles because they thought the dancing was "lewd." When the monarchy was restored in 1660, people went wild and put up a 134-foot Maypole in London just to spite the dead Puritans.
The Empire State Building and the Bee Problem
Here is a modern interesting fact for May: it’s the month of the swarms.
Beekeepers stay on high alert in May because honeybees are looking for new homes. In May 2023, a massive swarm of bees actually shut down a portion of Times Square. They do this because the queen gets "itchy feet"—well, she gets crowded—and half the colony leaves to find a new spot. If you see a ball of bees hanging from a tree in May, don't panic. They are actually at their most docile because they have no hive to protect and their bellies are full of honey for the trip. They’re just resting.
The Kentucky Derby and the "Mint Julep" Economy
You can't talk about May without the Kentucky Derby. It’s the first Saturday of the month.
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They serve over 120,000 Mint Juleps in two days. That requires 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice. It’s a massive logistical nightmare. The race itself only lasts two minutes—the "most exciting two minutes in sports"—but the economic impact on Louisville is over $400 million. It’s a huge reminder of how a single May tradition can sustain an entire city's budget.
Space, Stars, and the Eta Aquariids
Look up.
In early May, usually peaking around the 5th or 6th, we pass through the debris trail of Halley’s Comet. This creates the Eta Aquariid meteor shower. These aren't just rocks; they are pieces of the most famous comet in history hitting our atmosphere at 41 miles per second.
The cool part? You’re seeing dust that Halley’s Comet shed hundreds of years ago.
The constellation of the month is Taurus (the Bull) until the 20th, then it switches to Gemini (the Twins). Taurus is an Earth sign, which fits the gardening vibe of the month, but Gemini brings that chaotic, social energy that usually defines the end of May as school lets out and summer vacations begin.
Historical Oddities That Happened in May
History doesn't take a break in the spring. Some of the most world-altering events happened while everyone else was planting flowers.
- May 6, 1937: The Hindenburg disaster. It happened in Lakehurst, New Jersey. It effectively ended the era of the passenger airship in 32 seconds.
- May 14, 1804: Lewis and Clark began their journey. They headed out from Camp Dubois to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Territory.
- May 20, 1932: Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She landed in a cow pasture in Northern Ireland.
- May 29, 1953: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest.
There’s a theme here: exploration and risk. Maybe there is something about the warming weather that makes humans want to do something dangerous and new.
Gardeners Call it "The Big Push"
If you talk to any serious gardener, May is the most stressful month of the year. It’s the "Hardening Off" phase. You’ve spent months coddling seedlings indoors, and now you have to move them outside. But there’s the "Frost Line" trap.
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In many parts of the U.S. and Europe, a late May frost is a "crop killer." Farmers in the 1800s called the period of May 11-15 the "Ice Saints" days (St. Mamertus, St. Pancras, and St. Servatius). They believed that until these days passed, your tomatoes weren't safe. Even today, with satellite weather tracking, seasoned gardeners rarely plant their tender crops before Mother’s Day.
The Flower Moon
The full moon in May is traditionally called the Flower Moon. This comes from Algonquin tribes, and it’s pretty self-explanatory. But it has other names too: the Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon. Old English tradition called it the Milk Moon because this was the time of year when cows were moved to lush, fresh pastures, which significantly increased their milk production.
Actionable Tips for May
Since May is a transitional month, you can actually use the "facts" of the month to optimize your life.
First, check your local frost dates. Don't trust a warm Monday in early May; check the 10-day forecast before putting down expensive annuals.
Second, get outside for the Eta Aquariids. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, this meteor shower is actually one of the best of the year. In the North, it’s lower on the horizon, but still worth a look around 3:00 AM.
Third, buy your emeralds carefully. If you’re shopping for a May birthday, remember that almost all emeralds are treated with oil to fill cracks. It’s standard practice. Just make sure the jeweler is upfront about the level of treatment.
Finally, embrace the "May Day" spirit. Whether that’s advocating for better work-life balance (in honor of the labor roots) or just putting some flowers on a neighbor's porch, it's a month designed for connection. May is the bridge between the dormant winter and the frantic heat of summer. It’s the last chance to breathe before everything gets truly busy.
The most important thing to remember about May is that it's unpredictable. It’s the only month that can give you a sunburn and a snowstorm in the same week. Watch the sky, keep your plants covered, and enjoy the fact that the disease-risk stats are in your favor if it's your birth month.