May Day, mayday, M'aidez

May 1st is May Day, the day the ancient Celts celebrated as the start of summer.  It is also International Workers Day, but is not related to the distress call 'mayday' which derives from the French "m'aidez!' (help me!).

Read more about May Day traditions online in this e-book

The Ritual of May Day in Western Europe

Past, Present and Future

Herbert Reiter and Abby Peterson