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28 May Trivia Questions and Answers for a Monthly Quiz

Play 28 May trivia questions in four short rounds, with clear answers and links for date-sensitive facts.

For another month, browse our January–December trivia guide.

This May quiz moves from calendar basics to observances, history, nature, and space. Each question has a specific connection to the month, so you can use the whole set or pick a single round.

Calendar and Traditions

  1. Q: How many days are in May?
    A: 31.
  2. Q: May is which numbered month in the Gregorian calendar?
    A: Fifth.
  3. Q: May is traditionally named for which Roman-associated goddess?
    A: Maia.
  4. Q: Which U.S. holiday honoring mothers falls on the second Sunday in May?
    A: Mother’s Day.
  5. Q: Which U.S. federal holiday falls on the last Monday in May?
    A: Memorial Day. Source
  6. Q: What is May’s traditional birthstone?
    A: Emerald. Source
  7. Q: Which two Western astrology signs cover most May birthdays?
    A: Taurus and Gemini.
May trivia

Seasons and May Observances

  1. Q: In the Northern Hemisphere, which meteorological season includes May?
    A: Spring.
  2. Q: In the Southern Hemisphere, which meteorological season includes May?
    A: Autumn.
  3. Q: Which labor observance is marked on May 1 in many countries?
    A: International Workers’ Day, also called May Day.
  4. Q: Which United Nations observance falls on May 3?
    A: World Press Freedom Day. Source
  5. Q: Which United Nations day falls on May 15?
    A: International Day of Families. Source
  6. Q: Which United Nations day falls on May 20?
    A: World Bee Day. Source
  7. Q: Which United Nations day is observed on May 22?
    A: International Day for Biological Diversity. Source

Observances, Science, and Civil Rights

  1. Q: Which World Health Organization observance falls on May 31?
    A: World No Tobacco Day. Source
  2. Q: Which United Nations cultural observance falls on May 21?
    A: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Source
  3. Q: Who became the first American in space on May 5, 1961?
    A: Alan Shepard. Source
  4. Q: Which U.S. space station launched on May 14, 1973?
    A: Skylab. Source
  5. Q: Which Apollo mission launched on May 18, 1969, as a lunar-landing rehearsal?
    A: Apollo 10. Source
  6. Q: Which Washington volcano erupted catastrophically on May 18, 1980?
    A: Mount St. Helens. Source
  7. Q: Which U.S. Supreme Court school-segregation decision was handed down on May 17, 1954?
    A: Brown v. Board of Education. Source

Historic May Moments

  1. Q: What transportation link was completed with a final spike at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869?
    A: The first transcontinental railroad in the United States. Source
  2. Q: Which San Francisco landmark first opened to pedestrians on May 27, 1937?
    A: The Golden Gate Bridge. Source
  3. Q: Which U.S. president proposed a Moon-landing goal to Congress on May 25, 1961?
    A: John F. Kennedy. Source
  4. Q: Cinco de Mayo commemorates an 1862 Mexican victory at which battle?
    A: The Battle of Puebla. Source
  5. Q: International Nurses Day falls on May 12, the birthday of which nursing pioneer?
    A: Florence Nightingale. Source
  6. Q: Which World War II milestone is remembered as V-E Day on May 8?
    A: Victory in Europe after Nazi Germany’s surrender. Source
  7. Q: Which United Nations observance falls on May 29?
    A: International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Source

About this quiz

Site editor: Ellie Simons. Read our Trivia Methodology to learn how questions are researched and updated. Page last updated: . Report an error.