The Post Quiz: May Celebrations - Answers
Created | Updated May 3, 2015
What is there to celebrate in May?
May Happenings: Answers
Hurrah, it's May, the lusty month of May…
Lerner and Loewe
May's a big month for celebrating. Do you know what and why?
Short answers.
- May Day, the international workers' day, began with violence in Chicago in 1886. What were the workers demanding at the Haymarket demonstrations?An eight-hour work day. What a dangerous Communist idea.
- What glorious era(s) led to May Day being renamed 'Loyalty Day' in the US? The Red Scares. Not making this up.
- What are you supposed to do for your cat on 3 May? (If your cat will let you.) Hug it. (Carefully.)
- Why is 4 May Star Wars Day? (And is anyone geeky enough to care?) May the Fourth be with you. Groan.
- What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? (And did you buy enough salsa?) A famous Mexican victory over the French. The Battle of Puebla, 1862.
- What is the connection between knitted footwear and 9 May? (And which h2g2er should really celebrate this?) It's Lost Sock Memorial Day. Mourn those lost, unpaired socks. (Sniff.)
- How did Mother's Day get started? (And have you ordered the flowers yet?) Anna Jarvis of West Virginia, USA, wanted to honour her mother. Ms Jarvis' mother was a fine lady and a peace activist. Eventually, US President Woodrow Wilson agreed that this was a good idea. Card companies were ecstatic.
- What famous dance should be celebrated on 14 May? (With or without oompah band?) The Chicken Dance. Get out there and shake your tailfeathers, whether you call it 'The Chicken Dance', 'Papakia', or 'the song my budgie dances to'.
- What space-related activity takes place on 25 May? (Take that, Darth Vader!) Towel Day. You knew that. Don't jump into warp without yours.
- What era's end should you celebrate on 29 May? (Even if you subscribe to the Phantom Time Hypothesis.) The Middle Ages. Why such a day exists is anyone's guess, but lift a glass and quaff a toast to the end of a dubious historical period.
Obviously, your dance card's going to be pretty full in May. Particularly on the 14th, when you go about squawking like a chicken. Enjoy, but don't overdo it. And remember to order some new socks.
