By Soyoung Kim
The month of May is packed with holidays commemorated around the world. Usually these special celebrations are as varied as the weather. Holidays are often marked by cheerful festivals but it could be a more solemn event like Memorial Day. Let’s look around to examine the multifarious holidays crowding the month of May.
To start with the United States, our nation observes Memorial Day on the last Monday of May during the peak of flower-blossom season. It now honors all war veterans but was first established to honor and remember those who lost their lives when fighting in the Civil War of 1868. It is also known as Decoration Day, since people decorate soldiers’ graveyards with flowers.
In South Korea, May is known as a month for families, due to the various and distinct holidays involving the family unit. One of these fascinating events is Children’s Day on May 5th. It was designated by Jung-whan Bang in 1910 when the country was colonized by Japan. Since many children were forced to go to work then, instead of attending school, Mr. Bang wanted to give them hope despite the harsh reality.
Teacher’s Day in South Korea
Teacher’s Day is also one of Korea’s biggest national celebrations as Koreans still cherish the old tradition that teachers be regarded as highly as parents. The Junior Red Cross proposed May 15 as Teacher’s Day in 1964; commemorating the birthday of King Sejong, the inventor of the Korean alphabet. For this special day students decorate the classroom with carnation flowers and banners saying: “We Love You.”
In Latin America, Cinco De Mayo is celebrated in Mexico to commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. People misunderstand it as the Independence Day of Mexico but Cinco de Mayo came after 40 years of actual independence. It is mostly celebrated in the state of Puebla and also worldwide by Mexican immigrants, by holding large festivals with parades and traditional Mexican music.
Cinco De Mayo Celebration
https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-people-in-mexico-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo