Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated annually on May 5. It commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under General Ignacio Zaragoza. It is not Mexico’s Independence Day (that’s celebrated on September 16). The holiday is more widely celebrated in the United States than in Mexico, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. In the U.S., it’s often observed with festivals, music, Mexican food, parades, and cultural events that highlight Mexican heritage and pride.
Mexican tea, also known as Dysphania ambrosioides or Chenopodium ambrosioides, is a medicinal plant with many uses. It’s a small bush with long leaves and small white flowers that can grow up to 5 feet tall. It’s native to Central and South America, as well as southern Mexico.
As societies transitioned to agriculture, sheds became important for storing tools, equipment, and harvested crops. Agricultural sheds were often constructed from wood and thatch and were used for purposes such as storing grain, housing livestock, and providing shelter for farmers and their families.
Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day
Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day is a quirky and fun idea! It’s a lighthearted way to celebrate sheds, perhaps even encouraging people to appreciate the simplicity and utility of these often overlooked structures. Plus, it could lead to some amusing and creative photos. Who knows, maybe it would even inspire people to give their sheds a little extra love and attention.
Hoagie Day
National Hoagie Day is celebrated annually on May 5th, honoring the beloved sandwich known by various names across the United States, including subs, heroes, grinders, and wedges. This day pays tribute to the hoagie’s rich history and its significance in American culinary culture. The term “hoagie” is believed to have originated in Philadelphia during World War I at the Hog Island shipyard. Italian workers would bring large sandwiches filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables for their lunch breaks. These sandwiches became known as “Hog Island” sandwiches, which eventually evolved into “hoggies” and then “hoagies”.
Here are some significant historical events that occurred on May 5th across various years:
Global Historical Events:
1809 – Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent. She received it for a technique of weaving straw with silk or thread, helping to boost the hat-making industry.
1821 – Napoleon Bonaparte dies. The former Emperor of France died in exile on the island of Saint Helena.
1862 – The Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo). Mexican forces defeated the French army, a significant symbolic victory even though the French later won the war. This battle is the origin of the Cinco de Mayo celebration, especially in the United States.
1945 – Last German forces in the Netherlands surrender in WWII. This marked one of the final stages of World War II in Europe, with full German capitulation occurring days later.
1961 – Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space. Aboard the Freedom 7 capsule, Shepard’s suborbital flight marked the beginning of U.S. crewed space missions.
1981 – IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands dies. Sands died in Maze Prison after 66 days without food, drawing global attention to the cause of Irish republican prisoners.
2002 – Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn is assassinated. His death just days before the Dutch general election shocked the Netherlands and Europe.
Notable Birthdays – May 5:
Karl Marx (1818) – German philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist. Co-author of The Communist Manifesto and a foundational figure in political theory and sociology.
Adele (1988) – British singer-songwriter, known for her powerful voice and multiple Grammy-winning albums like 21, 25, and 30.
James Beard (1903) – American chef, cookbook author, and teacher. A major figure in the development of American cuisine; the James Beard Foundation Awards are named after him.
Nellie Bly (1864) – American journalist, best known for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days and her undercover exposé in a mental institution.
Tammy Wynette (1942) – American country music singer and songwriter, famous for songs like “Stand by Your Man.” Known as the “First Lady of Country Music.”
Michael Palin (1943) – British comedian, actor, writer, and television presenter, best known as a member of Monty Python and for his travel documentaries.
Henry Cavill (1983) – British actor, known for playing Superman in the DC Extended Universe and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series.
Notable Deaths – May 5:
Napoleon Bonaparte (1821) – Former Emperor of France and one of history’s most influential military leaders. He died in exile on the island of Saint Helena at age 51.
Josip Broz Tito (1980) – Yugoslav revolutionary and statesman who served as president of Yugoslavia from 1945 until his death. He was a key figure in the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War.
Bobby Sands (1981) – Irish nationalist and member of the Provisional IRA, who died after a 66-day hunger strike while imprisoned in Northern Ireland, becoming a symbol of the republican cause.
Irving S. Shapiro (2001) – First lawyer and non-scientist to become CEO of DuPont, a major U.S. chemical company.
Craig Mack (1971–2018) – American rapper who helped launch Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records with his hit single “Flava in Ya Ear.”
