Interesting facts about the upcoming month of May

May is a festive month in many ways. Warm weather characterizes much, if not all, of May in many regions, compelling people to spend more time outdoors. And the spirit of summer starts to seep in as May flowers bloom. In fact, many people in the United States feel Memorial Day, an American holiday celebrated annually on the last Monday in May, marks the unofficial beginning of summer. That's not all there is to know about the often festive fifth month of the year.

Historians believe May is named after Maia, the goddess who embodied the concept of growth in ancient Roman religion and mythology. That makes sense, as May is the month when flowers and plants begin to blossom anew, inspiring a spirit of rejuvenation among individuals who are ready for warm weather and all the benefits it brings. The name "May" has evolved from the Latin word "Maius," which is short for "mensis," a word that Dictionary.com reports meant "Maia's month."

May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on May 1, around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Traditions often include gathering wildflowers and green branches, weaving floral garlands, crowning a May Queen (sometimes with a male companion), and setting up a Maypole, May Tree or May Bush, around which people dance.

"The fastest two minutes in sports" occurs each May. The Kentucky Derby, sometimes characterized as "The most exciting two minutes in sports," is held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, and the atmosphere at Churchill Downs embodies the festive spirit of May. The Kentucky Derby also is known as "The Run for the Roses," as the winner of the race is draped in roses in the winner's circle.

One of the more beloved May holidays in North America, or at least the United States, is Cinco de Mayo. Though Cinco de Mayo is a regional Mexican holiday celebrating the Mexican army's improbable defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, the day has been co-opted in the U.S., where it has become a celebration of Mexican culture and cuisine. It's not uncommon for bars and restaurants across the United States to offer special menus and discounted beverages on Cinco de Mayo.

Though the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo are festive occasions, Memorial Day weekend is when many people up the celebratory ante in the fifth month of the year. Memorial Day is a solemn American holiday day that honors the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces, and many communities host parades on the morning of Memorial Day to honor those sacrifices and the country fallen soldiers fought to protect. But Memorial Day weekend also has gained a reputation as a festive weekend to spend with family and friends. In fact, a recent survey from WalletHub found that 44 percent of Americans planned to barbecue over Memorial Day weekend.