May 1 National Days

May 1st is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 244 days remaining until the end of the year. Today brings a mix of 25 national and international celebrations, honoring workers and principals to highlighting purebred dogs, rhino conservation, and even the art of guerrilla gardening.

Here’s a closer look at the national and international days celebrated on May 1st.

National and International Days on May 1

Beltane (Gaelic May Day festival): Beltane marks the beginning of summer in Gaelic traditions. Historically celebrated across Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, Beltane rituals included bonfires believed to protect cattle and encourage growth. People decorated homes with May flowers, visited holy wells, and held feasts offering food to the aos sí. Though public celebrations faded by the 20th century, Beltane traditions have seen a revival through Celtic neopagan and Wiccan communities. Beltane shares roots with Calan Mai in Wales and is one of the four major Gaelic seasonal festivals alongside Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh.

Couple Appreciation Day: Offers partners a chance to reflect on and openly express gratitude for one another, reinforcing emotional bonds and recognizing the daily efforts that sustain a relationship. The day reminds couples that every relationship benefits from intentional acts of love and appreciation. Although the exact founder is unknown, Couple Appreciation Day responds to the broader trend of celebrating meaningful personal connections, similar to days like Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day.

💗 There are dozens of national days dedicated to celebrating family, relationships and friends.

Frequent Flyer Day: Honors loyal travelers who have helped shape the airline industry’s rewards programs. As air travel grew more common, airlines introduced frequent flyer initiatives to thank regular customers with miles, upgrades, and special perks. This day highlights how these programs have evolved and emphasizes the ongoing bond between airlines and travel enthusiasts.

✈️ Frequent Flyer Day relates closely to events like Aviation Day on August 19 and World Tourism Day on September 27.

Global Love Day: Promotes unconditional love and unity across humanity. Founded by Harold Becker and The Love Foundation in 2004 with the theme “Love Begins With Me,” this day encourages individuals to foster love for themselves, others, and the planet. It aims to build a foundation of compassion and understanding worldwide, tying into broader observances like World Kindness Day.

International Doodle Dog Day: Founded in 2015 by Jeanine North of Ripley & Rue, celebrates Labradoodles and other doodle mixes. This joyful day highlights the unique qualities of doodles, which combine intelligence, friendliness, and low-shedding coats. Doodles have a playful history, tracing back to Wally Conron’s creation of the Labradoodle in the 1980s. Doodle enthusiasts gather to honor these lovable dogs, much like National Dog Day does for all canines.

International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day: Since 2007, International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day has encouraged planting sunflowers in neglected spaces to beautify communities. Started by Brussels-based guerrilla gardeners, the movement ties into broader efforts to reclaim urban spaces for nature. By using sunflowers—symbols of resilience and joy—participants aim to bring brightness to forgotten corners of cities, connecting this event to broader themes of environmental stewardship like Earth Day.

International Workers’ Day (May Day): International Workers’ Day, commonly known as May Day, commemorates the labor movement’s struggles for fair working conditions. Established by the Second International in 1889, it honors the 1886 U.S. labor strikes that led to the eight-hour workday movement. In 1955, the Catholic Church also dedicated May 1 to Saint Joseph the Worker. Today, many countries celebrate labor achievements on May 1, while the U.S. and Canada mark Labor Day separately in September.

Law Day: Invites Americans to reflect on the importance of law in maintaining personal rights and liberties. Introduced by the American Bar Association in 1957 and officially proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, Law Day emphasizes the foundation of democracy established by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It parallels Constitution Day, observed each September.

Learn to Ride a Bike Day: Promotes cycling as a healthy, inclusive, and environmentally friendly activity. It highlights the positive impact of biking on urban development, sustainability, and personal health. While the exact founder remains unknown, the day ties into ongoing efforts to create bike-friendly communities and supports initiatives similar to World Bicycle Day on June 3.

National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day: Founded by James Jean-Pierre in 2021, honors the cultural and social significance of Black barber shops. These spaces have long served as centers of community connection, conversation, and cultural expression. The day emphasizes the historic role of barbering, one of the oldest professions, and connects to broader recognition of Black culture and contributions.

National Chocolate Parfait Day: Celebrates the delightful layered dessert of chocolate and cream. The parfait, originating in France in 1894, became a sweet favorite worldwide. Although the creator of this food holiday remains unknown, the day shares festive spirit with other dessert days like National Ice Cream Day in July.

National Day of Prayer* (First Thursday in May): Designated by the U.S. Congress and signed into law in 1952, the National Day of Prayer invites Americans to turn to prayer and meditation. Evangelist Billy Graham’s 1952 Capitol sermon helped inspire the movement. President Ronald Reagan later moved its observance to the first Thursday in May. The day emphasizes spiritual reflection across faiths, much like Thanksgiving encourages collective gratitude.

National Executive Coaches Day: Celebrates the role of executive coaches in nurturing leadership excellence. These behind-the-scenes mentors help executives build skills and strategies that drive business success. Although the founder remains unknown, the day highlights coaching’s growing importance, much like National Mentoring Month in January.

National Loyalty Day: Honors American freedom, heritage, and patriotism. First observed as Americanization Day in 1921, it became Loyalty Day officially in 1958 through Public Law 85-529, largely to counter communist influences associated with May Day. Proclaimed annually by every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower, Loyalty Day reminds citizens to celebrate national unity and democratic values.

National Mother Goose Day: Founded in 1987 by Gloria T. Delamar, National Mother Goose Day celebrates the whimsical tales and rhymes introduced by Charles Perrault in the 17th century. Mother Goose stories like “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” have enchanted generations of children.

National Physicians’ Day (Canada 🇨🇦): Celebrated on May 1, National Physicians’ Day in Canada honors the contributions of doctors to public health. Officially recognized in 2018, the date commemorates Dr. Emily Stowe, Canada’s first practicing female physician. The day shares a similar spirit with National Doctor’s Day (March 30) in the United States.

National Purebred Dog Day: Founded in 2013 by writer and Puli enthusiast Susi 🏡. The day highlights the cultural heritage and predictability of purebred dogs, advocating for responsible dog ownership. Recognized officially in Colorado in 2015, it reminds people of the importance of preserving diverse dog breeds.

New Home Owners Day: Founded in 2020 by California realtor Paisley Vartanian, New Home Owners Day celebrates the milestone of buying a first home. The day recognizes the courage and excitement of homeownership, encouraging new homeowners to reflect on their journey.

🏡 New Home Owners Day connects to broader celebrations like National Homeownership Month in June.

Save the Rhino Day: Founded by Simon Jones in 2010, Save the Rhino Day raises awareness about rhino conservation. The day highlights the threats of poaching and habitat loss while encouraging global action to protect these majestic animals.

🦏 Save the Rhino Day complements World Rhino Day, celebrated on September 22.

School Principals’ Day: Founded by Janet Dellaria of Michigan, School Principals’ Day on May 1 honors the vital leadership of principals in shaping academic success and positive learning environments. Without their vision and dedication, schools would struggle to thrive. This day complements Teacher Appreciation Week, held each May.

Silver Star Service Banner Day: Silver Star Service Banner Day recognizes American service members wounded, sick, or dying from combat. Officially designated by Congress in 2010, it honors those who have sacrificed for the country. This observance connects to broader military appreciation events like Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Thank You Thursday* (6 days before the first Wednesday in May): Encourages people to express genuine gratitude to those who improve their lives, whether through friendship, work, or daily kindness. It serves as a reminder that appreciation can strengthen bonds and inspire positivity, complementing gratitude-focused days like World Gratitude Day in September.

Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day: Founded in 2014, Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day highlights the benefits of massage therapy for health and wellness. It invites people to explore new styles of massage or reconnect with familiar practices, much like National Relaxation Day encourages stress relief through simple, restorative activities.

World Passkey Day* (First Thursday in May): Established in 2024, World Passkey Day promotes the use of passkeys—an advancement in online security designed to replace traditional passwords. It raises awareness about digital safety and coincides with World Password Day, reinforcing the importance of evolving cybersecurity practices.

World Password Day* (First Thursday in May): First proposed by Mark Burnett in 2005 and officially launched by Intel Security in 2013, World Password Day emphasizes strong password habits to protect digital identities. The day encourages password updates and better security practices, now evolving alongside initiatives like World Passkey Day.