May 5 – Children's Day in Japan

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nMay 3: Kempo Kinenbi (Constitution Memorial Day)
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nMay 4: Greenery Day
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nMay 5: Children’s Day!
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nThe old name for Children’s Day is Boy’s Day. It’s also called Feast of Banners. 
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nBecause so many of Japan’s nine official holidays fall at the end of April and the beginning of May, the entire week was named “Golden” – a week when many companies and schools are closed down completely, and many Japanese people either travel or do leisure and recreational activities near home.
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nOn Children’s Day, families raise carp-shaped flags that look like they are swimming in the wind, with one carp for each family member (parents as well as children). 
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nAccording to Chinese legends, carp swim upstream in order to become dragons!
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nThe insides of homes are traditionally decorated with samurai dolls and helmets and such.
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nThe day’s traditional treat are mochi rice cakes wrapped in leaves. The cakes may be filled with red bean jam. 
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nOther traditions include baths sprinkled with iris leaves and roots, or special comic theater performed by kids. Of course many families have picnics or enjoy other fun activities.
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nRevenge of the Fifth 

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nNational Ferret Day in the U.K.

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nNational Cartoonists’ Day

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nCinco de Mayo

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nPhilosophy Day

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nChildren’s Day in South Korea

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nHidirellez Festival in Turkey

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nIndian Arrival Day in Guyana

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nNational Astronaut Day

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nConstitution Day in Kyrgyzstan

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nWorld Laughter Day 
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n(First Sunday in May)

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nBats Day 

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n(Varies every year)

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nLemonade Day

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n(First Sunday in May)

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nPlan ahead:

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Check out my Pinterest boards for:

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• nMay holidays 

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• nMay birthdays 

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• nHistorical anniversaries in May

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nAnd here are my Pinterest boards for:

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• nJune holidays

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• nJune birthdays

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• nHistorical anniversaries in June

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