May 7, 2025
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
May
MMM – MMM
Good
By Eloise Graham
May Day, the first day of May, is a holiday with both ancient and modern roots. It has traditionally been associated with springtime celebrations. Dancing around the Maypole, crowning May Queens, making May baskets filled with flowers and candy are some of the activities of May Day.
I remember making little paper baskets out of brightly colored construction paper or heavy wallpaper squares. The next step was to put candy and flowers in them. Then go to a neighbor’s front door, ring the doorbell, leave the basket and run off.
In some countries, May Day is observed as International Workers’ Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of workers.
Mint Julep Day (known as the Kentucky Derby) is Saturday May 3, 2025. The Kentucky derby was begun by Meriwether Lewis Clark, a prominent Louisville citizen who developed the Louisville Jockey Club. Clark began construction on a race course on land leased from two relatives, John and Henry Churchill. He patterned the Kentucky Derby after the English Classic, the Epsom Derby. This race is often called the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports. It is the oldest continuously running sports event in the United States.
Did you know that wearing green at the Kentucky Derby is considered unlucky? It is especially more so for owners and trainers. Carrying a $50 bill is also considered bad luck for those at the races. These superstitions are well-known among regular attendees.
May fifth (better known as Cinco de Mayo) is a day commemorating the victory of the poorly equipped Mexican army of 4,000 over the French army of 6,500 – 8,000 men. The French attacked the Mexicans on May 5 1862. The victory represented a significant morale boost to the Mexican army and the Mexican people.
May 10 is Mexican mother’s day. Back in the day in Mexico, pay day was the 10th of the month. That meant that everyone had a little extra to buy mom a gift or take her out to eat.
Mother’s Day, celebrated the second Sunday in May, is Sunday May 11 this year. Mother’s Day, as the American holiday, is thanks to Anna Jarvis. She began a campaign in 1908 to make it a special day. It wasn’t until 1914 when President Wilson signed the Mother’s Day Proclamation. However, the ancient Greek and Romans had festivals dedicated to maternal goddesses. In the 1600s England celebrated Mothering Sunday. This celebration took place on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
Memorial Day is a day set aside for remembering and honoring all those that made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for our safety, our country. This year Memorial Day is Monday, May 26.
Originally called Decoration Day, it was a day set aside to place flowers on the graves of the soldiers of the Civil War. It was formalized by a “Memorial Day Order” issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868. It was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970. Then the date was changed to the fourth Monday of May.
