May 7 is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, leaving 238 days until the end of the year. Today’s observances span topics from mental health and weather science to tourism, cocktails, and children’s wellness.
National & International Days on May 7
Here’s a full overview of the 13 national and international days celebrated on May 7.
Beaufort Scale Day honors Sir Francis Beaufort, a Royal Navy officer who created the Beaufort wind force scale in 1805. His standardized system allowed sailors and meteorologists to measure wind speed based on observable conditions, replacing vague terms like “light breeze” or “strong gale.” The scale later became an essential tool in weather forecasting and naval operations, and remains widely used today.
Bladder Cancer Awareness Day highlights the need for awareness, early detection, and research related to bladder cancer, the 10th most common cancer worldwide. In the U.S., tens of thousands are diagnosed each year. As part of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, May 7 serves as a time to educate the public about risk factors and symptoms, and to support patients and survivors.
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day was founded in 2005 by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It raises awareness about mental health challenges faced by children and youth. Each year includes a campaign focused on education, acceptance, and prevention. Related events often take place as part of Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week.
Love’s Baby Soft Day honors the wildly successful fragrance and product line from Love’s Cosmetics. Launched in 1974, Love’s Baby Soft targeted teenage girls with scents that evoked innocence and sweetness, but with an overtly suggestive marketing twist. With Brooke Shields as a spokesmodel, the campaign became iconic and controversial, leaving a lasting impression on beauty and advertising culture.
National Barrier Awareness Day was officially recognized in 1986 through a joint resolution of Congress and a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. This day calls attention to the barriers—physical, educational, and social—that people with disabilities face. It promotes understanding, accessibility, and equal opportunity by challenging outdated policies and misconceptions that hinder progress.
National Cosmopolitan Day raises a glass to the iconic pink cocktail made famous in the 1990s. Though the cosmopolitan dates back to the 1960s, it gained mainstream popularity thanks to bartenders like Dale DeGroff and pop culture moments like Sex and the City. The drink combines vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Cointreau, and is served in a martini glass with a twist.
🍸 Related celebrations include National Cocktail Day on March 24. For more alcohol-themed days, visit the dedicated article.
National Day of Prayer* (First Thursday in May) was designated by the U.S. Congress and signed into law in 1952. It 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 Packaging Design Day was founded by Design Packaging in 2015 to recognize the creativity and innovation behind packaging. The design of a product’s box, bottle, or bag often plays a key role in branding and customer experience. From luxury perfumes to eco-friendly boxes, this day honors the professionals who make packaging both functional and visually appealing.
National Paste-Up Day looks back at the pre-digital era of publishing, when layout artists—also called paste-up artists—would cut and arrange columns of text and headlines by hand. These mechanical layouts were used to create camera-ready pages for offset printing. National Paste-Up Day celebrates the craftsmanship behind traditional print production and those who paved the way for modern desktop publishing.
National Roast Leg of Lamb Day encourages home cooks to prepare and enjoy a classic roast leg of lamb. Traditionally flavored with rosemary, garlic, and butter, it’s a dish often associated with springtime gatherings and Sunday dinners.
🥩 The day adds to the list of meat-themed observances like National Prime Rib Day on April 27 and National Filet Mignon Day on August 13.
National Tourism Day highlights the role of tourism in local economies and personal enrichment. While the origins of the observance remain unclear, it aligns with National Travel and Tourism Week in the U.S. and encourages both individuals and businesses to promote travel opportunities.
🏝️ Similar events include World Tourism Day on September 27 and National Plan for Vacation Day celebrated on the last Tuesday of January.
World Passkey Day* (First Thursday in May) was established in 2024 to promote 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) was first proposed by Mark Burnett in 2005 and officially launched by Intel Security in 2013. It 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.
