Hindi Journalism Day (Hindi Patrakarita Diwas):
Day – May 30
Commemorating – The launch of the first Hindi newspaper “Udant Martand” in Calcutta by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla in 1826
Hindi Journalism Day (Hindi Patrakarita Diwas):
Day – May 30
Commemorating – The launch of the first Hindi newspaper “Udant Martand” in Calcutta by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla in 1826
Day - May 31
Theme 2026 - Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction
Observed by - WHO
Observed since - 1988
International Day of UN Peacekeepers:
Day – May 29
Theme 2026 – “Invest in Peace”
Observed since – 2003
Commemorating – The 78th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, which began in 1948 with the deployment of military observers to the Middle East under the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).
International Everest Day:
Day – May 29
Commemorating – First ever Mt Everest summit by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953
World Football Day:
Day – 25 May
Observed by – 2024
Commonwealth Day in India:
Day – 24 May
Commemorating – The birth anniversary of Queen Victoria in 1819
National Anti-Terrorism Day:
Day – May 21
Commemorating – Death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu in 1991
International Museum Day:
Day – May 18
Theme 2026 – “Museums Uniting a Divided World”
Observed by – International Council of Museums (ICOM)
Observed since – 1977
World Metrology Day:
Day – May 20
Theme 2026 – “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”
Observed by – UNESCO
Observed since – 2000
International Day of Light:
Day – May 16
Theme 2026 – “Light for a Sustainable Future”
Observed since – 2018
Commemorating – The anniversary of Theodore Maiman’s first successful laser operation in 1960
World Endangered Species Day:
Day – Third Friday in May (May 15 in 2026)
Theme 2026 – “Celebrating America’s Wildlife Comeback Stories. Championing the Endangered Species Act”
Observed since – 2006
International Nurses Day:
Day – May 12
Theme 2026 – “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”
Commemorating – The birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale
National Technology Day:
Day – May 11
Theme 2026 – “Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth”
Observed by – Technology Development Board (TDB), under Ministry of Science and Technology(MoS&T)
Observed since – 1999
Commemorating – Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear tests and the maiden flight of the indigenous Hansa-3 aircraft
67th Raising Day of Border Roads Organisation (BRO):
Day – May 07
Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War:
Day – May 08, 09
Observed since – 2005
Commemorating – The surrender of Nazi Germany in WWII
Also known in Europe as – Victory day
World Athletics Day:
Day – May 07
Theme 2026 – "Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers"
Observed since – 1996
Initiated by – Primo Nebiolo, former President of World Athletics
International Firefighters’ Day (St Florian’s Day):
Day – May 04
Observed since – 1999
Commemorating – Death of 5 firefighters who fought a wildfire in
Linton, Australia in 1998
World Hand Hygiene Day:
Day – May 05
Theme 2026 – “Action saves lives – Safer care starts with clean hands”
Observed by – WHO
World Press Freedom Day:
Day – May 03
Theme 2026 – “Shaping a Future at Peace”
Observed since – 1994
International Labour Day (May Day):
Day – May 01
Theme 2026 – "Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment"
Observed since – 1923
Commemorating – Labour strike in Chicago, USA in 1886 for 8-hour workday
Also known as – ‘May Day’, ‘Antar Rashtriya Shramik Divas’, and ‘Kamgar Din’