May 13 National Days

May 13 is the 133rd day of the year (134th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, leaving 232 days until the end of the year. Today’s 9 national and international celebrations range from culinary favorites and literary nods to project management recognition and pop culture tributes.

A few observances, such as International PMO Day, shift yearly based on weekday placement, while the others are fixed on May 13.

Here’s a full overview of the national and international days observed on May 13.

National and International Days on May 13

Cough Drop Day: This day honors the long-standing use of lozenges as a remedy for sore throats and coughs. These small medicated tablets have a history dating back to 1000 BC in ancient Egypt, where honey was mixed with herbs and spices for throat relief. In the 1800s, brands like Smith Brothers (1852) and Luden’s (1879) introduced modern cough drops to the public. While early versions included ingredients like morphine or heroin, concerns over addiction led to safer alternatives. Today, cough drops remain a go-to for soothing symptoms of colds and flu.

International Hummus Day: First celebrated in 2013, International Hummus Day invites people around the world to make, eat, and enjoy hummus together. Hummus—made of mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic—has roots in Levantine cuisine and dates back at least to a 13th-century Syrian cookbook by Ibn al-Adim. Despite regional debates over its origin, hummus has become a globally loved dish often paired with pita bread or veggies.

International PMO Day* (Second Tuesday in May): First celebrated in 2023, International PMO Day was founded following the 2022 PMO Conference in London. It was created to recognize and celebrate Project Management Offices (PMOs) across various sectors, from corporate to government. These offices play a key role in delivering organizational change and supporting effective project execution. The day promotes awareness, appreciation, and best practices in project, program, and portfolio management.

National Apple Pie Day: The first recorded apple pie recipe appeared in 1381 in England, but the pie gained symbolic status in the U.S. through slogans like “for Mom and apple pie” during WWII. From Teddy Roosevelt’s travels to 1970s Chevrolet ads, apple pie has remained a nostalgic comfort food.

🥧 Other pie-themed holidays are National Pie Day celebrated every year on January 23rd and National Pumpkin Pie Day on December 25th.

National Crouton Day: Founded in 2015 by Rothbury Farms, this food day celebrates the crunchy, seasoned bread pieces often found in salads and soups. The word “crouton” stems from the French croûton, a diminutive of croûte, meaning crust. Traditionally made from cubed, day-old bread tossed with oil and herbs, croutons add texture and flavor to dishes. Rothbury Farms, established in 1923, launched the holiday to recognize their passion for making quality croutons.

National Frog Jumping Day: Inspired by Mark Twain’s first short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” this holiday pays tribute to frog-jumping contests and literary humor. First observed in 1865, the tradition was popularized by the Calaveras County Fair in California, where frog-jumping competitions are still held. The current record, set by Rosie the Ribeter in 1986, is 21 feet and 5.75 inches.

National Fruit Cocktail Day: This food holiday highlights the classic mix of diced fruits served in juice or syrup, a familiar staple in school cafeterias and childhood lunches. While prepackaged versions are popular, homemade fruit cocktail made with fresh fruit remains a healthier and more flavorful option. National Fruit Cocktail Day invites people to revisit or reinvent this nostalgic dish, whether as a snack, dessert, or brunch addition.

Top Gun Day: Celebrated since 2009, Top Gun Day pays homage to the iconic 1986 film Top Gun, even though the movie’s actual release was spread over May 12, 15, and 16. Due to a scheduling error during the early promotion of the holiday, May 13 became the official date—and stuck. While the movie was inspired by the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School founded in 1969, the day itself is more about celebrating the film’s pop culture legacy than any military milestone. Fans across the globe join in by quoting lines, wearing aviators, and reliving the soundtrack.

World Cocktail Day: Marking the anniversary of the first written definition of a “cocktail” on May 13, 1806, this global celebration was launched in 2006 by The Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans. The original definition, published in The Balance and Columbian Repository, described it as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters.” Now, World Cocktail Day highlights the art of mixology and the cultural significance of cocktails around the world.

🍸 Similar days include National Cocktail Day on March 24th. See also our complete list of national days dedicated to alcoholic drinks.