Important days in May 2025: Full list of national and international events

List of Important Days in May 2025: Each month brings important days and events, many of which are marked with special themes. These days help us remember important moments in history and honour the sacrifices made by others.

May is a very important month for many reasons. It is packed with holidays and both national and international events such as Labour Day or May Day, Maharashtra Day, Gujarat Day, World Turtle Day, International Museum Day, Maharana Pratap Jayanti, National Technology Day, Mother¡¯s Day, Buddha Purnima, and National Brother¡¯s Day, among others.

Overall, May is filled with important festivals and events. Here, we have listed some of the key international and national dates for May 2025. Make sure to check them regularly, especially if you are preparing for competitive exams.

What Are the Important Days in May 2025?

Many important events and celebrations take place in May, such as Labour Day or May Day, Maharashtra Day, Gujarat Day, Firefighters¡¯ Day, Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti, Maharana Pratap Jayanti, National Technology Day, Buddha Purnima, and National Brothers¡¯ Day, among others. This year, Mother¡¯s Day will be celebrated on 11 May 2025.

Here is the list of important days, dates, and events in May 2025.

Details about important days in May 2025

May 1 - International Labour Day

International Labour Day, also called May Day, is celebrated around the world every year on 1st May. In India, it is known as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din. This day remembers the historic fights and achievements of the workers¡¯ movement, which pushed for workers' rights and better working conditions. It began after the Haymarket incident in Chicago in 1886, where workers protested for an eight-hour workday, leading to greater recognition of workers' rights.

May 1 - Maharashtra Day

Maharashtra Day marks the creation of the state of Maharashtra in 1960. The Governor gives a speech at Shivaji Park, and the state government announces new plans for the future.

May 1 - Gujarat Day

Gujarat Day celebrates the formation of Gujarat as a state on 1st May 1960. Official events take place across the state, with a major celebration at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. The government also shares new plans for the people.

May 2 - World Tuna Day

World Tuna Day is celebrated every year on 2nd May to highlight the importance of tuna as a key resource from the sea. It raises awareness about the need to manage tuna fishing carefully, as it is important for many economies, jobs, and food supplies. The day reminds everyone about the need to protect tuna stocks for the future.

May 3 - World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day is observed on 3rd May to honour journalists who have lost their lives doing their work and to review the state of press freedom across the world. It highlights how important a free press is for democracy and reminds us of the need to protect journalists¡¯ rights to report freely.

May 4 - Coal Miners Day

Coal Miners Day is celebrated every year on 4th May. It honours the hard work and sacrifices of coal miners everywhere. The day reminds us how important coal mining is for supplying energy to homes, businesses, and communities. It also helps people understand the tough challenges miners face, like working safely and staying healthy.

May 4 - International Firefighters¡¯ Day

International Firefighters¡¯ Day is observed every year on 4th May. It is a time to remember firefighters who have lost their lives while helping others and to thank those who continue to keep us safe. It¡¯s a day to show respect and support for firefighters all over the world.

May 4 - World Laughter Day (First Sunday of May)

World Laughter Day started in 1998, with the first celebration held on 10th May 1998 in Mumbai, India, by Dr Madan Kataria, the founder of the Laughter Yoga movement. Now, it is celebrated worldwide on the first Sunday of May to promote happiness and good health through laughter.

May 5 - World Portuguese Language Day

World Portuguese Language Day is celebrated every year on 5th May. It recognises the cultural and language importance of Portuguese worldwide. The day celebrates the rich heritage, literature, and traditions of Portuguese-speaking communities and encourages people to appreciate the global impact of the language.

May 6 - International No Diet Day

International No Diet Day is celebrated every year on 6th May. It promotes body positivity and encourages people to reject diet culture. The day is observed in many countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Israel, Denmark, Sweden, and Brazil.

May 6 - World Asthma Day (First Tuesday of May)

World Asthma Day is held every year to help people around the world understand asthma better and improve care for those with the condition. It is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and always takes place on the first Tuesday of May.

May 7 - World Athletics Day

World Athletics Day is celebrated worldwide every May to encourage children and young people to stay fit and take part in sports, especially athletics. It was first started in 1996 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), now known as World Athletics.

May 8 - World Red Cross Day

World Red Cross Day, also called Red Crescent Day, is celebrated every year on 8 May. It honours the values of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This date marks the birthday of Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828 in Geneva, Switzerland. He founded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and was the first person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

May 8 - World Thalassaemia Day

World Thalassaemia Day was first set up in 1994 by Panos Englezos, the founder of the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF), in memory of his son George, who died from thalassemia. The day is meant to raise awareness about the disease, honour those who have lost their lives to it, support efforts to find a cure, and bring together the public, healthcare workers, and authorities to promote prevention and better treatment.

May 9 - Maharana Pratap Jayanti

Maharana Pratap Jayanti is celebrated on 9 May to remember the brave and respected ruler of Chittor, Maharana Pratap. Known as a legendary warrior, he symbolises the pride of Rajasthan and was the son of Rana Udai Singh II, the king of Mewar.

May 10 - World Lupus Day

World Lupus Day is marked every year on 10 May to raise awareness about lupus, a long-term autoimmune disease that can show many different and sometimes confusing symptoms.

May 10 - International Day of Argania

The International Day of Argania, celebrated on 10 May, highlights the cultural, ecological, and economic importance of the Argan tree found in Morocco. The day aims to promote the protection of Argan forests, encourage sustainable production of Argan oil, and support local communities who rely on it for their livelihoods.

May 10 - World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day, observed on 11 May, focuses on the need to protect migratory birds and their habitats. It raises awareness of the dangers they face, such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and illegal hunting. The day promotes global efforts to protect these birds for future generations.

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