May 15 National Days

May 15 is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, leaving 230 days until the end of the year. Today’s observances bring attention to everything from digital accessibility and maternal care to law enforcement remembrance and delicious chocolate chips.

National Days on May 15th — May 15th National Days

A few observances, such as Global Accessibility Awareness Day, National Aperitif Day, National Notebook Day, National Stop Nausea Day, and Peace Officers Memorial Day, shift yearly based on weekday placement. The rest are fixed on May 15.

Here’s a full overview of the 20 national and international days observed on May 15.

National and International Days on May 15

Asphalt Day: Acknowledges the crucial role of asphalt in daily life—from paving roads and runways to protecting homes through roofing materials. The day was launched by the Asphalt Institute, a century-old trade association, to recognize the importance of this material and the professionals behind it. Michelle Lowe, the Institute’s Marketing and Membership Director, emphasized that most people interact with asphalt daily without even realizing it.

Break the Glass Ceiling Day: Held annually on May 15—the 135th day of the year—this day draws attention to systemic barriers that prevent women and underrepresented communities from achieving workplace equality. The phrase “glass ceiling” has been in use since the 1970s, but the observance is relatively new. It reflects statistics from the World Economic Forum, which estimated in 2021 that global gender parity could take over 135 years to reach. The day aims to reignite conversations about gender equity and accelerate change.

Bring Flowers to Someone Day: This day celebrates the simple but meaningful act of giving flowers. Whether for celebration, sympathy, or just because, flowers brighten relationships and bring joy. Archaeological discoveries, such as the 1950s excavation by Ralph Solecki in Iraqi Kurdistan, suggest that even Neanderthals may have used flowers in burial rituals, showing how deeply rooted this custom is in human culture.

🌼 Similar ideas are embraced on National Flower Day on March 21 and National Plant a Flower Day on March 12.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day* (Third Thursday in May): Created in 2012 by web developer Joe Devon and accessibility advocate Jennison Asuncion, this day raises awareness about digital inclusion for people with disabilities. What began as a blog post quickly became a global movement to ensure that websites, apps, and other technologies are accessible to everyone. Celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May, GAAD encourages developers, businesses, and educators to prioritize inclusive design.

HG Awareness Day: Launched in 2012 by the HER Foundation, this day spreads awareness of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a severe pregnancy condition involving extreme nausea and vomiting. Founders Kimber MacGibbon and Ann Marie King created the nonprofit to support patients, promote early diagnosis, and advocate for research. Their online community began in 2000 and has since become a vital resource for those experiencing HG. This day highlights the condition’s seriousness and the importance of compassionate care.

International Conscientious Objectors Day: Started in 1982 by European pacifist groups, this observance honors individuals who refuse military service on moral or religious grounds. It gained formal recognition from the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection in 1985 and later from War Resisters’ International. With support from the Peace Pledge Union in the UK, the day has become a global reminder of the courage it takes to stand by one’s beliefs in the face of pressure to conform.

International Day of Families: Established by the United Nations in 1993, this observance promotes awareness of family-related issues and their role in social, economic, and demographic development. Celebrated annually on May 15, it builds on the 1989 declaration of the International Year of the Family. The day also aligns with broader goals like the U.N.’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which emphasizes the importance of family-oriented policies in tackling poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges.

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

Kangaroo Care Awareness Day: Highlights the benefits of skin-to-skin contact between newborns and parents, especially for premature infants. The practice, named after the way kangaroos carry their young, was developed in 1979 by Dr. Edgar Rey and Dr. Hector Martinez in Bogotá, Colombia. Their innovative approach improved survival rates in resource-limited hospitals and has since become a key part of neonatal care worldwide.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) Awareness Day: Founded in 2006 through advocacy by families and the National MPS Society, this day raises awareness of mucopolysaccharidosis—a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the body’s ability to break down certain sugars. In 2007, the observance became international, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis, better treatment options, and community support. Educational events and fundraising campaigns aim to improve the lives of individuals living with MPS and support research toward a cure.

National Aperitif Day* (Third Thursday in May): Introduced in 2013 by French aperitif producer Maison Lillet, this day celebrates the tradition of enjoying a light drink before a meal. The word “apéritif” comes from the Latin “aperire,” meaning “to open,” reflecting the idea of preparing the palate for food. From vermouth and dry sherry to gin and Dubonnet, aperitifs have a rich history across Europe and beyond. The day honors their role in both social gatherings and culinary culture.

🍹 For more alcohol-themed days, visit the dedicated article.

National Chocolate Chip Day: This sweet day honors the accidental creation of chocolate chips by Ruth Graves Wakefield in 1937 at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. Her famous cookie recipe led to an agreement with Nestlé in 1939 and eventually the launch of pre-made chocolate chips in 1941. Chocolate chips revolutionized home baking and today are available in flavors ranging from white and dark chocolate to mint and butterscotch.

🍫 Related days include National Cookie Day on December 4 and World Chocolate Day on July 7.

National Notebook Day* (Third Thursday in May): First celebrated in 2016, National Notebook Day promotes the value of journaling and expressive writing. Whether used for poetry, self-reflection, planning, or creativity, notebooks have long served as personal tools for processing emotions and exploring ideas. The day encourages people of all ages to put pen to paper, highlighting the therapeutic and developmental benefits of regular writing.

National Sticker Day and Other National Days for Stationery Addicts

National Nylon Stocking Day: Celebrates the historical and cultural impact of nylon stockings. After DuPont introduced nylon in 1939, stockings became a durable and affordable alternative to silk. During World War II, nylon was diverted for military use, leading to a notorious shortage and even riots. Nylon stockings later gave way to pantyhose and other hosiery styles, but their legacy lives on in fashion history.

National Safety Dose Day: Created to address the risks of prescription drug misuse, this day focuses on using medications safely and following doctors’ instructions. It highlights the dangers of opioid misuse and stresses proper storage, disposal, and communication about prescriptions. Communities observe the day by sharing resources and promoting awareness to prevent avoidable medication-related complications.

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day: Founded in 2018 by the U.S. Senate and led by Senator Susan Collins, this observance shines a light on scams targeting older adults. With technology constantly evolving, seniors can become vulnerable to phone, email, and in-person fraud. This day encourages education, open conversations, and community vigilance to help protect elderly individuals from emotional and financial harm. It aligns with broader awareness efforts like National Consumer Protection Week.

National Stop Nausea Day* (Third Thursday in May): Started in 2018 by Reliefband Technologies, this day was created to raise awareness about the toll nausea takes on people’s lives. The observance aims to normalize conversations about nausea—whether caused by pregnancy, motion sickness, anxiety, or medical treatments. It encourages exploring relief options and highlights technology and support systems available to help manage this often-overlooked issue.

National Straw Hat Day: A nod to summer fashion and social history, this day marks the seasonal shift to lighter headwear. First declared an official event in New Orleans in the 1920s by Mayor Andrew McShane, the day was once celebrated with fanfare, sales, and parades. A more somber historical footnote is the 1922 Straw Hat Riot in New York City, which revealed the power of unwritten fashion rules. Today, the day is more cheerful, inviting people to dust off their straw hats and embrace warm-weather style.

👒 Similar Days: National Hat Day observed every January 15 and Wear A Hat Day in March.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Global Awareness Day: This international awareness day brings attention to TSC, a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors in vital organs. The condition, first described in the 19th century, gained wider recognition thanks to the work of Tuberous Sclerosis International. The day promotes inclusion, fights stigma, and supports research into treatments. It also reminds the public that those with TSC deserve full access to education and community life.

VBF Day of Awareness / Birthmarks Awareness Day: Established by Dr. Linda Rozell Shannon in 1994 and later recognized by U.S. Congress, this day was created to raise awareness of vascular birthmarks and related conditions. May 15 also falls within the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation’s International Month of Awareness. The observance promotes acceptance, encourages early treatment, and supports those affected. Roughly 1 in 10 newborns are born with vascular birthmarks, and the foundation has played a critical role in improving both understanding and medical care.

Peace Officers Memorial Day: Created by Congress in 1961 and officially declared by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, this observance honors law enforcement officers who lost their lives or were injured in the line of duty. In 1994, President Bill Clinton directed flags to be flown at half-staff each May 15. The day falls during National Police Week and serves as a solemn tribute to the over 800,000 officers serving in the U.S., as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice.