2026
Later action
Marine Mammal Rescue Day
Carried a motion to proclaim 27 April 2026 as Marine Mammal Rescue Day throughout Los Angeles County. This is treated as a local 2026 action, not proof of an automatic annual recu…
Evergreen date guide
What is celebrated on May 5?
See the observances and verified observance-history milestones attached to May 5. Each observance keeps its own source and date details.
Verified history
Today in history →On this date in observance history
Selected observance milestones connected to this date, based on reviewed sources.
2020
First observance
World Portuguese Language Day
UNESCO’s 5 May 2020 article states that this was the first time UNESCO celebrated the World Portuguese Language Day after the 2019 proclamation.
2017
First observance
National Silence the Shame Day
The organization explicitly calls May 5, 2017 the inaugural National Silence the Shame Day.
2016
First observance
African World Heritage Day
UNESCO’s Director-General message on 5 May 2016 explicitly describes it as the first African World Heritage Day.
2016
First observance
National Astronaut Day
The launch announcement explicitly describes May 5, 2016 as the first annual National Astronaut Day.
2015
First observance
National Concert Day
Live Nation explicitly called May 5, 2015 the first-ever National Concert Day.
1999
First observance
National Cartoonists Day
The 2024 industry retrospective identifies 1999 as the first year and shows multiple May 5, 1999 observance examples.
1992
First observance
International Day of the Midwife
UNFPA material states that the day was first commemorated on 5 May 1992.
Reviewed depth
Other in-depth guides on May 5
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
African World Heritage Day
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
Indian Arrival Day
Office of the President of Guyana
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
International Day of the Midwife
ICM and UNFPA material support annual 5 May recurrence and ICM establishment of the observance in 1992.
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day)
Japan’s National Holidays Act establishes Children’s Day on May 5; Cabinet Office historical material documents its original 1948 establishment and date-selection rationale.
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)
Dutch government and National Committee sources verify May 5 Liberation Day, its 1946 establishment, 1968 fixed-date rule and current official public-holiday status; employee day-off entitl…
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
National Astronaut Day
The White House issued a National Astronaut Day message on 5 May 2026 honoring Alan Shepard’s first American human spaceflight; the observance’s organizer describes May 5 as the annual date.
Explore the mix
All topics →Topics represented on May 5
9 observances
All observances on this date
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
African World Heritage Day
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
Indian Arrival Day
Office of the President of Guyana
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
International Day of the Midwife
ICM and UNFPA material support annual 5 May recurrence and ICM establishment of the observance in 1992.
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day)
Japan’s National Holidays Act establishes Children’s Day on May 5; Cabinet Office historical material documents its original 1948 establishment and date-selection rationale.
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)
Dutch government and National Committee sources verify May 5 Liberation Day, its 1946 establishment, 1968 fixed-date rule and current official public-holiday status; employee day-off entitl…
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
National Astronaut Day
The White House issued a National Astronaut Day message on 5 May 2026 honoring Alan Shepard’s first American human spaceflight; the observance’s organizer describes May 5 as the annual date.
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
National Cartoonists Day
Industry retrospective evidence supports a National Cartoonists Society initiative first observed May 5, 1999; the Library of Congress independently verifies the May 5, 1895 Hogan’s Alley c…
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
National Silence the Shame Day
Silence the Shame identifies 5 May as Silence the Shame Day, focused on reducing stigma and encouraging open discussion around mental wellness.
Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide
World Portuguese Language Day
UNESCO 40 C/Resolution 70 (formal adopted act; 40 C/75 is a separate General Conference document identifier)
How dates are selected
This page combines fixed annual dates, reusable calendar rules and year-specific dates confirmed for 2026. Variable or historical dates are included only when they are clearly supported.
Read the methodology →