International awareness days and key dates

Awareness days, weeks and months, with bank holidays and the big commercial dates. Pick a country and the types you need, then subscribe in your own calendar.

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May 2049

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1Sat
Saturday 1 May 2049
- Free Comic Book Day
  Fun and quirky
  
  Free Comic Book Day is held on the first Saturday in May, when taking part comic shops give away specially printed comics to visitors.
2Sun
Sunday 2 May 2049
- International Compost Awareness Week
  Awareness2 to 8 May 2049
  
  A week in early May that promotes composting and the use of compost to improve soil and cut waste.
- International Dawn Chorus Day
  Awareness
  
  A celebration of birdsong held on the first Sunday in May, when people get up early to listen to the dawn chorus.
- World Laughter Day
  Fun and quirky
  
  A day promoting laughter for health and friendship, held on the first Sunday of May.
- World Tuna Day
  Awareness
  
  World Tuna Day on 2 May highlights the importance of sustainable tuna fishing for food security and the economy.
3Mon
Monday 3 May 2049
- World Press Freedom Day
  Awareness
  
  World Press Freedom Day on 3 May defends media independence and honours journalists who have lost their lives doing their job.
4Tue
Tuesday 4 May 2049
- Star Wars Day
  Fun and quirky
  
  Star Wars fans' annual celebration on 4 May, based on the pun 'May the Fourth be with you'.
- World Asthma Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on the first Tuesday of May that raises awareness of asthma and better care for people living with it.
5Wed
Wednesday 5 May 2049
- African World Heritage Day
  Awareness
  
  A UNESCO day on 5 May that celebrates Africa's natural and cultural heritage and supports its protection.
- International Day of the Midwife
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 5 May celebrating midwives and calling for more investment in midwifery.
- World Hand Hygiene Day
  Awareness
  
  Held on 5 May each year, WHO's day for promoting clean hands in health care to prevent infections picked up during treatment.
- World Maternal Mental Health Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on the first Wednesday of May that raises awareness of mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth.
- World Portuguese Language Day
  Awareness
  
  World Portuguese Language Day on 5 May celebrates the Portuguese language and the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries.
6Thu
Thursday 6 May 2049
- International No Diet Day
  Awareness
  
  International No Diet Day on 6 May promotes acceptance of all body sizes and questions the promises of the diet industry.
- World Kids Colouring Day
  Fun and quirky
  
  World Kids Colouring Day on 6 May is a STAEDTLER campaign that invites children to draw and colour, with donations to a children's charity project.
8Sat
Saturday 8 May 2049
- International Thalassaemia Day
  Awareness
  
  Marked on 8 May, this day raises awareness of thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder, and supports patients and better access to care.
- Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War
  Awareness8 to 9 May 2049
  
  On 8 and 9 May the UN remembers all victims of the Second World War, alongside national victory and liberation days.
- World Fair Trade Day
  Awareness
  
  Held on the second Saturday of May to celebrate fair trade and the producers, makers and businesses that work to its principles.
- World Migratory Bird Day (May)
  Awareness
  
  World Migratory Bird Day is held twice a year, on the second Saturday of May and October, to raise awareness of migratory birds and their protection.
- World Ovarian Cancer Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 8 May that unites patient groups to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and push for earlier diagnosis.
- World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
  Awareness
  
  World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on 8 May recognises the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the people who make a difference through it.
10Mon
Monday 10 May 2049
- International Day of Argania
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Argania on 10 May recognises the argan tree and its value for biodiversity and for rural women in Morocco.
- World Lupus Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 10 May that raises awareness of lupus and calls for earlier diagnosis, better care and more research.
12Wed
Wednesday 12 May 2049
- International Day of Plant Health
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Plant Health on 12 May shows how protecting plants from pests and disease helps end hunger and protect nature.
- International Nurses Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 12 May, Florence Nightingale's birthday, recognising the work of nurses.
- ME Awareness Day
  Awareness
  
  A day on 12 May that raises awareness of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), also marked worldwide as World ME Day.
13Thu
Thursday 13 May 2049
- World Cocktail Day
  Fun and quirky
  
  World Cocktail Day on 13 May marks the date in 1806 when a New York newspaper printed what is widely seen as the first definition of a cocktail.
15Sat
Saturday 15 May 2049
- International Day of Families
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Families on 15 May raises awareness of the social, economic and demographic issues that affect families.
16Sun
Sunday 16 May 2049
- International Day of Light
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Light on 16 May celebrates the role of light in science, culture, education and sustainable development.
- International Day of Living Together in Peace
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Living Together in Peace on 16 May encourages people to accept differences and live together in unity and harmony.
17Mon
Monday 17 May 2049
- International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 17 May standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people and opposing discrimination.
- World Hypertension Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 17 May that encourages people to check their blood pressure and to prevent and control high blood pressure.
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
  Awareness
  
  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on 17 May explores how the internet and digital technology can benefit society and close the digital divide.
18Tue
Tuesday 18 May 2049
- International Museum Day
  Awareness
  
  International Museum Day on 18 May highlights the role of museums in society, with museums worldwide running events around a yearly theme.
19Wed
Wednesday 19 May 2049
- World Fair Play Day
  Awareness
  
  World Fair Play Day on 19 May promotes respect, inclusion and fairness in sport, and opposes violence and doping.
- World IBD Day
  Awareness
  
  World IBD Day on 19 May unites people worldwide in the fight against Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
20Thu
Thursday 20 May 2049
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on the third Thursday of May encouraging everyone to think and learn about digital access and inclusion.
- International Clinical Trials Day
  Awareness
  
  A day on 20 May recognising clinical research and the people who take part in trials.
- World Bee Day
  Awareness
  
  World Bee Day on 20 May raises awareness of bees and other pollinators and the need to protect them and their habitats.
- World Metrology Day
  Awareness
  
  Marked on 20 May each year to highlight the science of measurement and the anniversary of the Metre Convention of 1875.
21Fri
Friday 21 May 2049
- International Tea Day
  Awareness
  
  International Tea Day on 21 May celebrates tea's cultural heritage and promotes sustainable production and fair trade from field to cup.
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
  Awareness
  
  On 21 May the UN celebrates the world's many cultures and the role of cultural dialogue in peace and development.
22Sat
Saturday 22 May 2049
- International Day for Biological Diversity
  Awareness
  
  The International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May raises awareness of the loss of nature and the action needed to protect it.
23Sun
Sunday 23 May 2049
- International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
  Awareness
  
  The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on 23 May calls for action on a preventable childbirth injury that leaves many women injured and isolated.
- World Turtle Day
  Awareness
  
  Held on 23 May, World Turtle Day raises awareness of turtles and tortoises and the threats to their survival and habitats.
24Mon
Monday 24 May 2049
- International Day of the Markhor
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of the Markhor on 24 May raises awareness of a threatened wild mountain goat of Central and South Asia.
25Tue
Tuesday 25 May 2049
- Africa Day
  Religious and cultural
  
  Africa Day on 25 May marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and celebrates African unity and heritage.
- Towel Day
  Fun and quirky
  
  A fan tribute to author Douglas Adams, held on 25 May, when fans carry a towel in honour of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
- Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
  Awareness25 to 31 May 2049
  
  From 25 to 31 May the UN marks a week of solidarity with the peoples of the territories that are not yet self-governing.
- World Football Day
  Awareness
  
  World Football Day on 25 May celebrates football as a tool for peace, inclusion and the empowerment of women and girls.
27Thu
Thursday 27 May 2049
- Ascension Day
  Religious and cultural
  
  Ascension Day falls on a Thursday 39 days after Easter Sunday and marks Jesus ascending into heaven.
- Thy Kingdom Come
  Religious and cultural27 May to 6 June 2049
  
  A global Christian prayer movement held over the eleven days from Ascension Day to Pentecost each year.
28Fri
Friday 28 May 2049
- Menstrual Hygiene Day
  Awareness
  
  Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May is a global day on menstrual health and hygiene, initiated and coordinated by WASH United since 2014.
- World Hunger Day
  Awareness
  
  World Hunger Day on 28 May, run by The Hunger Project, draws attention to chronic hunger and to lasting solutions to hunger and poverty.
29Sat
Saturday 29 May 2049
- International Day of UN Peacekeepers
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May honours peacekeepers and remembers those who have died serving under the UN flag.
- World Digestive Health Day
  Awareness
  
  World Digestive Health Day on 29 May is the World Gastroenterology Organisation's yearly public campaign on a digestive health topic.
30Sun
Sunday 30 May 2049
- International Day of Potato
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Potato on 30 May celebrates one of the world's most important food crops and the farmers who grow it.
- World MS Day
  Awareness
  
  A global awareness day for multiple sclerosis held on 30 May each year.
31Mon
Monday 31 May 2049
- World No Tobacco Day
  Awareness
  
  World No Tobacco Day on 31 May raises awareness of the harm caused by tobacco and the tactics of the tobacco industry.

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May at a glance

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59 dates this month in the International calendar.

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