Today
Friday, October 23, 2026
No federal or major public holiday observed today across tracked regions.
Coming up next 14 days
Live · Nager.Date
Reformation Day
DEin 8 days
All Saints' Day
DEin 9 days
Melbourne Cup
AUin 11 days
Election Day (US)
USin 11 days
Library at a glance
259 briefs · 43 iconic · 5 categories · 54 countries
Library by month
259 briefs across the calendar - click a month to filter
Showing 6 briefs for May in this category.
Clear filtersMay Day - May 1, International Workers Day and the traditional spring festival across Europe
May Day on May 1 is observed worldwide as both International Workers Day (a labour movement commemoration since 1890) and a traditional spring festival (May Day / Beltane in Celtic cultures, Maifest in Germanic cultures). A public holiday in most countries outside the United States.
Star Wars Day - May the 4th, the 1979 pun origin, and how fans observe May 4 (and Revenge of the Fifth)
Star Wars Day (May 4) is an informal fan holiday observed by Star Wars enthusiasts worldwide, playing on the line "May the Force be with you" sounding like "May the Fourth." Originated in a 1979 UK newspaper congratulation to Margaret Thatcher. Not a public holiday; observed with film marathons, cosplay, and Disney/Lucasfilm promotional events.
International Day of Light - May 16, the UNESCO day marking the anniversary of the first laser
International Day of Light on May 16 is a UNESCO-recognised annual day first observed in 2018 to mark the anniversary of the first successful laser operation by Theodore Maiman on May 16, 1960. Celebrates light science, photonics, and the role of light in technology, culture, and sustainable development. Not a public holiday.
World Bee Day - May 20, UN observance raising pollinator awareness since 2017
World Bee Day on May 20 is a UN observance established in 2017 to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators for food security. The date marks the birth of Anton Janša, the 18th-century Slovenian pioneer of modern beekeeping. Each year has an annual theme. Not a public holiday.
World Press Freedom Day - May 3, the UNESCO declaration, and why journalists mark it
World Press Freedom Day on May 3 is a UNESCO-recognised international observance established in 1993. Each year the UN/UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded. Observed with conferences, press-club events, and the Global Conference on Press Freedom hosted by a rotating UN member state. Not a public holiday.
World Press Photo Day - May 3, photojournalism and visual journalism
World Press Photo Day on May 3 spotlights photojournalism, the World Press Photo annual contest, and the role of visual journalism in informing the public. Observed alongside World Press Freedom Day. Not a public holiday.