Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: May 8th, 2022. I would like to ask you to take a look at the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which one you most want to celebrate. As for me I would like to say Mother’s Day, but my mom isn’t here to celebrate and since I’ve had to pack my flowers away due to moving, I can’t even celebrate Happy Iris Day which stinks as everyone knows I love my flowers.
Iris Day celebrates these beautiful and attractive late Spring bloomers. With or without a beard, Iris is a very popular Flower among gardeners. With a little luck, you have Iris blooming in your flower beds today.
Celebrate Iris Day by enjoying these easy to grow bloomers. If you don’t have any Iris in your yard, get some and plant them today. You can also enjoy this holiday by going to a floral shop to purchase Iris to put into your favorite vase.
Today is a great opportunity to learn more about how to grow and care for Iris which you can research online.
Iris flowers have spiritual importance in Japan as Iris wards off evil spirits. On Iris Day in Japan, people put Iris leaves in their baths which is believed to prevent illness. They also drink juice from the Iris plant in their Sake to ensure longevity. Does it work? Try it and be the judge!
History and Origin of Iris Day:
Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this holiday but Iris Day appears to be of Japanese origin.
Lilac Sunday second Sunday in May
Lilac is perhaps the most fragrant of all flowers and Lilac makes a popular and sought-after perfume. Many say Lilac’s beauty is second only to the Rose. More than a few people see Lilac as better than Roses. It is only fitting that people around the world honor this beautiful flower on Lilac Sunday. Lilac Bushes are native to cool Mountainous hillside areas, from Southern Europe to Asia. Lilacs were introduced into the United States in the 1750’s. Their popularity quickly soared.
Lilac Sunday is celebrated with Springtime Festivals and special events. Annual Lilac Festivals have been held for over a hundred years. The oldest and biggest Lilac Festival of them all, is held at Highland Park in Rochester, NY. This Lilac Festival has been held every year since1905. The 10-day festival is centered around the world’s largest collection of Lilac Bushes, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually. The Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University in Boston, Ma. is also world known for its annual Lilac festival, held every year since 1908.
Celebrate Lilac Sunday by attending a Lilac Festival near you or take a stroll in a park among the Lilac Bushes.
Lilac Sunday Resources:
Lilac Festival sites and dates
Buy and plant Lilacs in your yard
About the Date:
Lilac Sunday is celebrated on the same day as Mother’s Day. Was this out of design, or coincidence? The date of Lilac Sunday is established to ideally occur when the flowers are in full bloom. Lilac Sunday used to be the third Sunday of May. Over several decades, Spring has come earlier and earlier, the effects of Global Warming. Now it is celebrated the second Sunday of the month. Even by moving the date up, Mother Nature does not always deliver on schedule. Sometimes, the Lilacs hit their peak before or after the second Sunday in May.
Mother’s Day second Sunday in May
Everybody has a mother, and no one is more special than mom. Sure, dad is really important and, grandparents too. But moms, are the greatest. Often taken for granted, moms are always our strongest supporter. You can’t do wrong in Mom’s eyes. When you are hurt, or not feeling well there is no one else that can help you more than Mom.
Go out and celebrate Mother’s Day. First and foremost, spend time with your mom and if you absolutely cannot be there in person, take time for a long phone call. Flowers, cards, candy and gifts are all part of the day. But mom wants time with you more than anything else.
The first Mother’s Day was May 10, 1908, in Philadelphia
National Outdoor Intercourse Day
Today is National Outdoor Intercourse Day (NOIT) which is a day to get out in the great outdoors and do the nasty. This holiday seems most popular in the Pacific Northwest, where it originated on the College campus of Washington State University. It doesn’t take much encouragement to prompt most people, and especially college students, to participate in this holiday.
Did You Know? Webster defines Intercourse as “to communicate”. Using this definition, it is perfectly okay to have intercourse with anyone outdoors, and indoors, too!
The Roots of National Outdoor Intercourse Day:
Around 2015, Washington State University banned blankets from the grounds of the campus, for fear that it would be used for reasons other than picnicking. Which was a bad decision especially when you tell that to a bunch of young college students, it doesn’t take a rocket Scientist to guess how they would react.
The activity for this Holiday is not intended for public viewing. Judging and prizes are not awarded. Participants report that excitement over the risk of getting caught or seen heightens the enjoyment.
Determining the Date:
Students suggested that the day should be celebrated on the 69th day of the year, or “69th of March” when they realized March was not a good month for this kind of outdoor activity, so May 8th was selected. Why this date, is uncertain.
As a kid friendly site, we opted not to display pictures of people enjoying this very special day.
American English language has evolved over the Centuries. In the early days of our Nation, politicians and officials used the word “intercourse” to describe communication and social interaction which eventually evolved to take on a somewhat different meaning, when the word “sexual” was put in front of it.
History and Origin of National Outdoor Intercourse Day:
We found no historical information on the origin of this holiday and the author is anonymous and the holiday appears to have originated around 2010 – 2015 by students at Washington State University. Needless to say, the College makes no claim to fame for inadvertently creating this holiday.
This day is called a “National” day, but we did not find any congressional records or presidential proclamations for this holiday, and we certainly hope that neither Congress, nor the President of the United States, would formally and officially attach the “National” title to this holiday.
It’s time to get out our sandals or flip flops because today is No Socks Day. Free your toes of the confines of socks and stockings. Give those toes of yours a breath of fresh air. The creators of this holiday also profess that No Socks Day will reduce your laundry load, and therefore, is healthy for the environment.
It’s easy to participate in No Socks Day. Leave your socks and stocking off, and let your toes enjoy a moment in the Sun!
While washing your feet prior to participating in No Socks Day is a requirement, painting your toenails is completely optional.
History and Origin of No Socks Day:
No Socks Day is a copyrighted holiday which was created and is provided, courtesy of the great folks at Wellcat.com
Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) commemorates the end of fighting in Europe during World War II. After years of war, The Third Reich of Nazi Germany was defeated, and millions of people were killed. Adolf Hitler, Germany’s Dictator, had committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin.
The German Army ceased fighting on May 2nd, and formally surrendered unconditionally, on May 7th. The surrender of all German forces was arranged for May 8th at 11:01. The Allied Countries planned to celebrate victory, and the cessation of hostilities.
The original planned date for the celebration of V-E Day, was May 9th, 1945. But journalists caught wind of the plans. So, the U.S. and Britain moved the date up by a day to May 8th. Russia kept to the original planned date for May 9th. Did you know Russia still celebrates V-E Day on May 9th?
World Red Cross Day / World Red Crescent Day
World Red Cross Day remembers and recognizes the efforts of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide. According to the Red Cross website, this holiday recognizes:
“Worldwide efforts to advocate for the relief of human suffering, whether from disease, famine, disaster, or war. On May 8th, the American Red Cross puts special focus on our programs that keep children healthy and safe around the globe.”
The Red Cross provides humanitarian efforts and disaster relief around the world, wherever it is needed. There are millions of Red Cross volunteers.
Ways you can celebrate World Red Cross Day and World Red Crescent Day:
- Learn more about the Red Cross
- Support Red Cross programs and efforts
- Send a donation to the Red Cross
- Donate blood today
History and Origin of World Red Cross Day:
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day dates back to1922. At that time, the Czechoslovakia Red Cross-National Society proclaimed a three-day truce at Easter to promote peace. The goal is to recognize one day every year to advocate for the relief of human suffering from disease, and the humanity of seeing a world free from suffering due to war.
May 8th was chosen, because it’s the birthday of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross.
Source: American Red Cross website.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
