Ten things you never knew about... May

The month that begins today, not the Prime Minister.

1. The month may have been named for the Greek fertility goddess Maia or it may be from the Latin “maiores” (elders) while June is “iuniores” (youth).

2. According to an old superstition, washing your face in dew on May 1 cures pimples and freckles.

3. Another superstition said that it was unlucky to buy a broom or wash a blanket on May 1.

4. Among other things, May is National Walking Month, National Share A Story Month, Action On Stroke Month and Zombie Awareness Month.

5. May is the only month of the year which has never seen the death of a US President.

6. Nine UK Prime Ministers have had birthdays in May, which is more than any other month.

7. May 1 has been celebrated as International Workers’ Day since 1891.

8. The date was originally chosen to commemorate a strike in Chicago on May 1, 1886 by workers wanting to impose an eight-hour day.

9. An assembly of striking workers in Chicago on May 4 ended with a bomb being thrown, with the police responding by firing on the workers. Dozens of labour leaders were arrested and four hanged.

10. In 1955, the Catholic Church named May 1 as the Feast Day of St Joseph the Worker, patron saint of workers and craftsmen.