May 2025 unfolds as a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of global solidarity, historical milestones, and other crucial awareness campaigns. From celebrating the workforce to honoring mothers and advocating for press freedom. This month marks some of the most important national and international days.
The month of May for the year 2025 holds great importance for multiple reasons. May is the month of many holidays. These days are celebrated across the world to raise awareness about social issues, honor historical events, and appreciate the work of people in various fields. From Labour Day to Mother’s Day, every date has its own equal importance.
List of important days, dates, and events in May 2025
Date |
Day |
Significance |
May 1 |
International Labour Day (May Day) |
Honors the contributions of workers worldwide and the history of the labor movement. |
May 1 |
Maharashtra Day |
Commemorates the formation of the state of Maharashtra in India. |
May 1 |
Gujarat Day |
Marks the formation of the state of Gujarat in India. |
May 2 |
World Tuna Day |
Raises awareness about the importance of tuna fish and sustainable fishing practices. |
May 3 |
Press Freedom Day |
Evaluates press freedom globally and pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in their profession. |
May 4 |
Coal Miners Day |
Honors the contributions and sacrifices of coal miners. |
May 7 |
World Athletics Day |
Promotes participation in athletics among youth and introduces new talent to the sport. |
May 7 |
World Asthma Day (First Tuesday of May) |
Raises awareness and promotes care for asthma worldwide. |
May 8 |
World Red Cross Day |
Commemorates the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, and honors the organization’s humanitarian work. |
May 8 |
World Thalassaemia Day |
Honors patients with Thalassaemia and their families, while raising awareness about the disease. |
May 9 |
Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti |
Celebrates the birth anniversary of the renowned Indian poet, writer, philosopher, and Nobel laureate. |
May 9 |
Maharana Pratap Jayanti |
Honors the birth anniversary of the legendary Rajput warrior, Maharana Pratap. |
May 10 |
World Lupus Day |
Raises awareness about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. |
May 11 |
National Technology Day |
Highlights the role of science and technology in daily life and encourages students to pursue careers in these fields. |
May 12 |
International Nurses Day |
Commemorates the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale and celebrates the contributions of nurses worldwide. |
May 12 |
Mother’s Day (Second Sunday of May) |
Honors mothers and motherhood, recognizing their invaluable contributions. |
May 15 |
International Day of Families |
Raises awareness about issues affecting families and promotes knowledge of social, economic, and demographic processes impacting them. |
May 16 |
National Dengue Day |
Raises awareness about dengue fever and preventive measures. |
May 16 |
International Day of Light |
Commemorates the first successful laser operation and highlights the importance of light in science, culture, and art. |
May 17 |
World Telecommunication Day |
Marks the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and focuses on the importance of information and communication technologies. |
May 17 |
World Hypertension Day |
Promotes awareness about hypertension and encourages its prevention and control. |
May 17 |
National Endangered Species Day (Third Friday) |
Raises awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and restoration efforts for endangered species. |
May 18 |
World AIDS Vaccine Day |
Recognizes the efforts of researchers, scientists, and health professionals working on HIV vaccine development and educates communities. |
May 18 |
International Museum Day |
Raises awareness about the role of museums in society and their contributions to cultural exchange and understanding. |
May 18 |
Armed Forces Day (Third Saturday of May) |
Pays tribute to the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces. |
May 20 |
International HR Day |
Highlights the crucial role of Human Resources professionals in organizations. |
May 21 |
National Anti-Terrorism Day |
Raises awareness about the violence caused by terrorism and commemorates the victims. |
May 21 |
International Tea Day |
Recognizes the contributions of the tea industry and promotes fair trade. |
May 22 |
International Day for Biological Diversity |
Increases awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues. |
May 23 |
Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima |
Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. |
May 23 |
World Turtle Day |
Raises awareness about the protection of turtles and tortoises and their habitats. |
May 24 |
National Brother’s Day |
Celebrates the bond between brothers. |
May 25 |
Africa Day |
Commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity and celebrates African unity and progress. |
May 27 |
National Memorial Day (Last Monday of May) |
Honors and remembers fallen American military personnel. |
May 30 |
International Day Of Potato |
Supports and promotes the sustainable production of potatoes for food security and poverty reduction. |
May 30 |
Goa Statehood Day |
Commemorates the day Goa attained statehood in India. |
May 30 |
Hindi Journalism Day |
Marks the publication of the first Hindi language newspaper in India. |
May 31 |
Anti-Tobacco Day (World No Tobacco Day) |
Raises awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on health. |
Understanding the Significance of Important Days in May 2025
May 1: International Labour Day (May Day), Maharashtra Day, and Gujarat Day
International Labour Day: International Labour Day, also known as May Day or Workers’ Day, is celebrated to acknowledge and honor the contributions of workers worldwide, and to raise awareness about labor rights and fair working conditions. It commemorates the struggles and achievements of the labor movement in advocating for better working conditions, fair wages, and workers’ rights
Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day: Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day are celebrated annually on May 1st. This date commemorates the formation of the two states on May 1, 1960, when the Bombay state was split along linguistic lines. The states are also celebrating International Labour Day on the same day.
May 2: World Tuna Day
World Tuna Day, celebrated annually on May 2nd, was established by the United Nations to raise awareness about the importance of tuna and its conservation. The day aims to educate the public about the threats facing tuna populations due to overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices, promoting sustainable fishing practices and safeguarding tuna stocks for the future.
May 3: Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3rd, is observed to promote and celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom globally, and defend the independence of media from attacks. It also serves as a reminder for governments to uphold their commitment to press freedom and for journalists to reflect on ethical issues.
May 4: Coal Miners Day
The coal miner’s day, observed on May 4th every year, commemorates the hard work and sacrifices of coal miners. The Mines Act, 1952, and its associated regulations mandate the provision of medical facilities, safety and health measures, and rescue stations and trained personnel for the rescue of workers.
May 7: World Athletics Day
World Athletics Day is celebrated on the 7th of May to create awareness regarding the physiological and psychological significance of sports and how sports help in overall well-being. It aims to promote athletics, especially among young people, encouraging participation in sports and fostering the discovery of new talent.
May 7: World Asthma Day (First Tuesday of May)
Organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma, this day raises awareness about asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, and promotes better management and care for those affected.
May 8: World Red Cross Day and World Thalassaemia Day
World Red Cross Day: Celebrates the principles and humanitarian work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, honoring its founder, Henry Dunant.The theme announced for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 2024 is “I give with joy, and the joy I give is a reward
World Thalassaemia Day: Focuses on raising awareness about Thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder, and supporting patients and their families.
May 9: Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti and Maharana Pratap Jayanti
Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti: Celebrates the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, a towering figure in Indian literature, art, and philosophy, and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Maharana Pratap Jayanti: Maharana Pratap Jayanti is celebrated to pay tribute to Maharana Pratap’s courage and sacrifice in resisting foreign invaders and defending the sovereignty of his kingdom.
May 10: World Lupus Day
World Lupus Day serves to rally lupus organizations and people affected by the disease around the world for a common purpose of bringing greater attention and resources to efforts to end the suffering caused by this disabling and potentially fatal autoimmune disease.
May 11: National Technology Day
Commemorated in India, this day marks the anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998 and highlights the significance of technological advancements in the nation’s progress.
May 12: International Nurses Day and Mother’s Day (Second Sunday of May)
International Nurses Day: Celebrates the invaluable contributions of nurses to healthcare and society, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Mother’s Day: A globally recognized day to honor mothers and maternal figures for their love, care, and sacrifices.
May 15: International Day of Families
The United Nations observes this day to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to reflect on the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting them.
May 16: National Dengue Day and International Day of Light
National Dengue Day: National Dengue Day is observed annually on May 16th. In 2024, this important day will continue to fall on the same date, emphasising the need for awareness and action against dengue fever
International Day of Light: Celebrates the role of light in science, culture, art, education, and sustainable development, commemorating the first successful laser operation.
May 17: World Telecommunication Day, World Hypertension Day, and National Endangered Species Day (Third Friday in May)
World Telecommunication Day: Focuses on the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for society and the global economy.
World Hypertension Day: Promotes public awareness of hypertension (high blood pressure) and encourages its prevention, detection, and control.
National Endangered Species Day: Raises awareness about the threats facing endangered species and the importance of conservation efforts.
May 18: World AIDS Vaccine Day and International Museum Day
World AIDS Vaccine Day: Every year on May 18th, the world unites to observe World AIDS Vaccine Day (WAVD). This day serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and the critical need for a safe and effective vaccine.
International Museum Day: Highlights the crucial role of museums in cultural exchange, the enrichment of cultures, and the development of mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace.
May 18: Armed Forces Day (Third Saturday of May)
Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday in May pays tribute to the military personnel serving in the United States Armed Forces. The celebration takes place each year during Armed Forces Week.
May 20: International HR Day
This day recognizes the vital role of Human Resources professionals in shaping the workplace and contributing to organizational success.
May 21: National Anti-Terrorism Day and International Tea Day
National Anti-Terrorism Day: Observed in India to raise awareness about the dangers of terrorism and promote peace and unity. It also marks the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
International Tea Day: Celebrates the cultural and economic significance of tea around the world and advocates for fair trade practices in the tea industry.
May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity
This United Nations day raises awareness about the importance of biodiversity for a healthy planet and human well-being.
May 23: Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima and World Turtle Day
Buddha Jayanti: Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
World Turtle Day: Dedicated to increasing knowledge of and respect for turtles and tortoises, and encouraging human action to help them survive and thrive.
May 24: National Brother’s Day
An unofficial holiday primarily celebrated in the United States to acknowledge and appreciate the bond between brothers.
May 25: Africa Day
Africa Day celebrates the day when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the African Union (AU), was formed in 1963. Africa Day celebrations acknowledge the progress that we, as Africans, have made, while reflecting upon the common challenges we face in a global environment.
May 27: National Memorial Day (Last Monday of May)
Observed in the United States, this day honors and remembers the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
May 30: International Day Of Potato, Goa Statehood Day, and Hindi Journalism Day
International Day Of Potato: Celebrates the importance of the potato for global food security, nutrition, and poverty reduction, particularly supporting small-scale farmers.
Goa Statehood Day: Commemorates the day in 1987 when Goa officially became a state within the Indian Union.
Hindi Journalism Day: Marks the anniversary of the publication of the first Hindi language newspaper, ‘Udant Martand,’ in India.
May 31: Anti-Tobacco Day (World No Tobacco Day)
