May 26: Holidays and Celebrations Today

May 26th is a special holiday. In fact, every day's a holiday for someone and for some reason.

Although we may not know the origins of many of these holidays, avid celebrants will participate eagerly in marking May 26th as a most special day for so many different reasons.

Here are several of the most popular May 26th holidays (arranged alphabetically):

Blueberry Cheesecake Day
AND
Cherry Dessert Day

Two delicious dessert days converge on one holiday on May 26^th. It's Blueberry Cheesecake Day and Cherry Desert Day.

Americans, in particular, may find this both patriotic and palatable for picnics and home dining. After all, who can resist cheesecake, fresh fruit, and cherry pie?

Let's eat, drink and be merry on May 26^th. Tomorrow, we all may diet.

Death Busters Day (U.S.)

Celebrated on May 26^th, Death Busters Day may serve as a warning for holiday highway drivers and others.

Death Busters Day is also the day for death-defying stunts, outdoor adventures and double-dog dares.

Perhaps paradoxically, May 26^th is also the birthday of Jack ("Doctor Death") Kevorkian, American physician. The suicide-assisting physician was born on May 26, 1928.

Grey Day

The origins of this holiday are unknown. Still, many sources note May 26^th as Grey Day. This may refer to avian migratory patterns, spring formal attire for men or even the last rainy days of spring.

However, another theory is possible.

On May 26, 1993, Cleveland Indian infielder Carlos Martinez hit a long fly ball, which bounced off Texas Ranger outfielder Jose Canseco's head and went over fence for a home run. The Indians beat the Rangers (7 to 6). Most likely, Canseco was feeling a bit grey after the event.

Of course, Grey Day may have originated in 1930, when the U.S. Supreme Court ended Prohibition by ruling that alcoholic beverages were not unconstitutional. Revelers marked the date by imbibing until the dawn (grey) hours of the following morning.

On May 26^th, for whatever reason, fashion-forward folks may choose subtle, ashen apparel tones to honor Grey Day.

Sally Ride Day (U.S.)

May 26^th is Sally Ride Day, honoring an important individual in aerospace history.

Sally Kristen Ride, the first American astronaut in space, was born on May 26, 1951. Dr. Ride participated in the Space Shuttle Challenger's second mission. The Challenger was launched form the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 18, 1983.

May 26^th, Sally Ride Day, offers an ideal opportunity for reading about space travel, viewing movies about astronomy and aerospace exploration, or even building your own rocket.

What are your life goals? Did you ever dream of becoming an astronaut? On May 26^th, the sky is the limit.

Special Saints Days (Various)

The Calendar of the Saints lists the following for May 26^th: Alexander of Smyrna, Alphaeus,

Alwin of Elmham, Andrew Franchi of Pistoia, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Becan of Cork, Berencardus of Saint Papoul, Bobolinus II of Vienne, Damian, Dyfan, Eleuterus (Pope), Eva of Liége, Felicissimus, Fugatius, Guinizo of Monte Cassino, Heraclius, John Hoan, Lambert Péloguin of Vence, Mariana de Paredes y Flores of Quito, Matthew Phuong, Odulvald of Melrose, Paulinus, Peter Sanz, Philip Neri, Priscus and Companions, Quadratus of Africa, Quadratus the Apologist, Quintian of Rodez, Regintrudis of Nonnberg, Simitrius and Companions and Ursula Ledochowska.

Notable Anniversaries on May 26th

Various Other May 26th Holidays

May 26th is also the Appalachian Trade Festival, Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury (since 604 AD), Georgia Independence Restoration Day, Guyana Independence Day, Hay-on-Wye Festival of Literature (Wales), National Heroes Day (Turk and Caicos Islands), Senior Health and Fitness Day, Sorry Day (Australia), St. Leonard's Day, Windmill Day (Netherlands)

Happy May 26th to one and all!

Did you know . . . ?

Other Notable Holidays:

Click here to check other calendar dates for notable holidays.