May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. It is also a month within the northern season of spring.

The month may have been named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May. Although some historians claim that May was named after the Latin word majores which means older men since they say that May is dedicated to old men. In Japan, there is a so-called 'May sickness', where new students or workers start to be tired of their new schoolwork or jobs. (In Japan schoolyears and fiscal years start on April 1.)

In any calendar year, no other month starts on the same day of the week as May.

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  Every may: Balver Märchenwochen since 1991