This Month - May 2005
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month began in
1979 as Asian Heritage Week to recognize the contributions of Asian
Americans to American society. One such contribution was the efforts
that went into building a national railroad infrastructure.
Older Americans Month – the contribution
that older Americans make to their families and communities are celebrated;
wisdom, strength and compassion to name a few. First celebrated in
1963 when President Kennedy designated May as senior citizens month.
This was changed to Older Americans month by President Jimmy Carter
in 1980
Cultural holidays
May 1: May Day & Labor Day – Celebration of the rebirth
of life after winter. In 1884 Labor Unions of USA and Canada drafted
resolution in support of an eight hour working day to begin May
1, 1886 .
May 5: Cinco de Mayo – U.S citizens of Mexican heritage
celebrate their ancestry, originally a day to celebrate the victory
over the French at the Battle of Puebla May 5, 1862
May 8: Liberation day – commemorates end of World War II
May 8: Mothers day – Set aside by President Woodrow Wilson
in 1914 as an official day to honor mothers.
May 10: Golden spike day – Commemorates the day in 1869
when the final spike was driven into the Transcontinental Railroad.
Ten thousand Chinese immigrants were brought in as laborers for
the railroad. This contribution was first recognized in 1999.
May 30: Memorial Day - A day to remember U. S heroes.
Religious Holidays
Bahai
May 23: The bab (prophet herald of the Bahai faith) revealed
that he was the herald of a greater messenger of God
May 29: Ascension of Baha’u’llah Commemorates the
1892 death of the prophet-founder of the Bahai faith.
Christian
May 5: Ascension Day – marks the ascent of Jesus Christ
into heaven.
May 15: Pentecost – commemorates the Holy Spirit’s
descent upon the 12 apostles
Islam
May 2: Mawlid al-Nabi – commemorates the prophet Muhammad’s
birthday.
Jewish
May 6: Yom Ha-Shoah (Holocaust Day) - A memorial to Jews killed
in concentration camps during World War II
Submitted by: Tolu A. Oyelowo
