May 20 2017 Holidays

Your guide to every national day and holiday on May 20 2017

National days: 20
Day of the year: 140
Days left in the year: 225
Days until: 3018

May 20 brings 21 observances, led by World Bee Day, with National Notebook Day and National Quiche Lorraine Day offering an easy plan built around noticing nature, eating well, and staying curious.

World Bee Day

Support bee conservation by donating or purchasing from companies that work to save these crucial members of the ecosystem, or start your own bee hive.

Australia
Canada
Slovenia
and 2 more

Begin outside, with a close look

Take a notebook, a pencil, and 20 quiet minutes to a yard, balcony, park, or even a sunny sidewalk planter. Look for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, or flowering plants, then write down three things you notice: the flower color, the insect or bird, and what it is doing. World Bee Day is a good prompt to make one useful change, such as adding a pot of thyme or dill, leaving a patch of flowers undisturbed, or buying honey from a nearby beekeeper. For background and practical ideas, check the United Nations’ World Bee Day page.

Use National Notebook Day to turn those notes into a small plan. On a fresh page, list one plant you can pick up, one spot where it will get sun, and one date to water it. If you do not have outdoor space, keep the page as a seasonal sightings log and add to it whenever you pass a planted window box or community garden.

National Notebook Day

Open up a notebook and get writing. Jot down your to-do list, journal your thoughts, make lists or even try some creative writing with good old pen and paper.

Japan
United Kingdom
United States

Make lunch feel like an occasion

For National Quiche Lorraine Day, set aside about an hour for a simple bacon, egg, and cheese quiche. A store-bought pie crust keeps the work manageable: cook the bacon, whisk eggs with milk and shredded Swiss cheese, fill the crust, and bake until the center no longer jiggles. Serve it warm with a green salad, or ask a local bakery or café if quiche is in the case. Write down the ingredient amounts as you go, a fitting nod to Weights & Measures Day.

National Quiche Lorraine Day

A shortcrust pastry, bacon, eggs, cream, milk, cheese, and a little time in the oven; that’s all it takes to make the delicious and fancy-sounding Quiche Lorraine.

United States

Settle in with something worth watching

Choose National Streaming Day for a nature documentary, a beekeeper interview, or a short film about gardens. Search your usual streaming service for “pollinators” or “bees,” then give it 45 minutes without scrolling for something else. Keep your notebook nearby and jot down one plant, habitat, or question you want to follow up on later.

National Streaming Day

Gone are the days of missing out on, or even having to record and re-watch, a favorite television show because it was on at an inconvenient time. Today’s world allows almost anything to be accessed through streaming, almost instantly, and often at just the touch of a button. National Streaming Day…

Canada
United Kingdom
United States

If you share a link or recommendation afterward, take two extra minutes for Global Accessibility Awareness Day: add useful alt text to an image, turn on captions for a clip, or describe the key information in the post itself. It is a small habit that makes your day’s discoveries easier for more people to use.

Frequently asked questions

What national day is May 20?

World Bee Day is the leading observance on May 20, alongside National Notebook Day, National Quiche Lorraine Day, and 18 other national days. There are 21 days in total, including occasions for pollinators, rescue dogs, streaming, and academic freedom.

How many national days are on May 20?

There are 21 national days on May 20. World Bee Day leads the date, with observances including Weights & Measures Day, National Streaming Day, National Rescue Dog Day, and Global Accessibility Awareness Day. The full lineup also includes food, health, education, and cultural occasions.

What food day is May 20?

May 20 includes National Quiche Lorraine Day, National Sugarbee® Apple Day, National Aperitif Day, and National Pick Strawberries Day. These food-focused observances share the date with World Bee Day and 16 other national days, offering choices that range from a savory dish to fruit and a pre-meal drink.

What awareness days are on May 20?

May 20 includes World Bee Day, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, International Clinical Trials Day, Stop the Bleed Day, International Academic Freedom Day, International Red Sneakers Day, and World Autoimmune Arthritis Day. Together, these observances draw attention to pollinators, accessibility, health, emergency preparedness, academic freedom, and autoimmune arthritis.

World Bee Day

Support bee conservation by donating or purchasing from companies that work to save these crucial members of the ecosystem, or start your own bee hive.

Australia
Canada
Slovenia
and 2 more

National Streaming Day

Canada
United Kingdom
United States

Weights & Measures Day

Learn about the history of weights and measures in the past, as well as how we’ve come to use the various systems of measurement we use today.

Canada
United Kingdom
United States

National Learn To Swim Day

Teach your kids to swim, or sign up for lessons yourself. It’s good for your health, and may save your life or the life of another from drowning someday.

United States

Plant a Lemon Tree Day

Lemon trees are good for the environment, and incredibly useful. Make lemonade, salad dressing, cocktails and more. Just plant a lemon tree and reap the benefits.

India
Italy
Spain
and 1 more

National Be a Millionaire Day

No, you can’t become a millionaire in a day. But by taking stock of your financial health and taking steps to improve it, you just might get there someday.

Australia
Canada
United Kingdom
and 1 more

World Fiddle Day

Schedule a lesson or find a performance to enjoy one of the classic instruments of the working class, the fiddle. Or sit down to watch Fiddler on the Roof!

Canada
Ireland
United States

World Whisky Day

Mix up a whisky sour, or pour your favorite whisky over some ice and enjoy. Gather some friends together to try out different brands and cocktails.

Canada
Ireland
Japan
and 2 more

National Quiche Lorraine Day

A shortcrust pastry, bacon, eggs, cream, milk, cheese, and a little time in the oven; that’s all it takes to make the delicious and fancy-sounding Quiche Lorraine.

United States

International Clinical Trials Day

Volunteer for a clinical trial to help scientists and professionals create new products that will help society with everything from medical treatments to sunscreen.

Australia
Canada
United Kingdom
and 1 more

National High Heel Day

High heels are more than shoes—they’re statements. They lift not just height but mood, posture, and sometimes even confidence. National High Heel Day shines a light on this bold fashion icon. From glossy pumps to strappy stilettos, heels bring drama, style, and a little magic to every step. Whether spotted...

United States

National Women in Aerospace Day

National Women in Aerospace Day shines a light on the achievements of women in aviation and space. From pilots to engineers, women have played key roles in shaping the skies and beyond. This day celebrates their contributions and encourages more women to explore careers in this exciting field. It highlights the...

United States

National Rescue Dog Day

Wag your tail for rescue dogs! These lovable pups bring joy, loyalty, and unconditional love to every home they enter. Adopt a furry friend and experience the happiness that only a rescue dog can bring.

United States

International Academic Freedom Day

Exploring ideas without bounds, fostering intellectual liberty to ignite curiosity and shape a limitless realm of learning.

United Kingdom

National Band Director’s Day

National Band Director's Day, celebrated each year, is a special occasion to recognize the dedication and impact of band directors across the United States. These educators not only teach music but also foster creativity, discipline, and a sense of community among their students. Their relentless effort and passion for nurturing musical...

United States

International Red Sneakers Day

International Red Sneakers Day kicks off a vivid, can’t-miss ripple of red footwear that turns an everyday outfit into a conversation starter. The simple act of wearing red sneakers is meant to show support for people living with food allergies and to encourage safer, better-informed communities. The point is bigger than...

United States

National Sugarbee® Apple Day

Imagine biting into an apple so crisp and sweet it feels like nature's candy. That's the SugarBee® apple, a delightful result of a honeybee's chance encounter between a Honeycrisp blossom and an unknown apple variety. This happy accident led to an apple bursting with honeyed sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Grown...

United States

Eliza Doolittle Day

Eliza Doolittle Day springs from a playful moment in the musical My Fair Lady. In one scene, Eliza imagines a future where the king honors her with a day bearing her name. Fans embraced this idea, turning it into a real celebration. The day highlights Eliza's journey from a flower seller...

World Autoimmune Arthritis Day

Imagine waking up with aching joints, swollen fingers, and a body that feels like it’s fighting itself. That’s the daily reality for millions living with autoimmune and autoinflammatory arthritis. These conditions cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues, leading to pain and inflammation that can show up in joints, tendons...