100+ May Trivia Questions and Answers for Every Age
May is one of those months that’s absolutely packed with things to celebrate, remember, and discover. From Mother’s Day and Star Wars Day to Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day, it’s a month full of fun facts just waiting to be turned into great trivia questions.
Whether you’re planning a May-themed game night, looking for trivia questions for the classroom, hosting a family gathering, or just want to test your own knowledge of this brilliant spring month, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve put together 100+ May trivia questions and answers covering everything: May holidays, famous birthdays, history, fun facts, easy questions for kids, and a tricky round for those who think they know everything about May. Ready to play? Let’s go!
May Trivia Questions: General Knowledge
Start here! These questions cover the basics of May, perfect for warming up a group or testing how much everyone already knows about this month.
1. What month number is May in the calendar year?
Answer: The fifth month.
2. How many days does May have?
Answer: 31 days.
3. What are the two birth flowers for May?
Answer: Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn.
4. What is the birthstone for May?
Answer: Emerald.
5. What are the two zodiac signs for May?
Answer: Taurus (April 20 – May 20) and Gemini (May 21 – June 20).
6. In Roman mythology, which goddess is May named after?
Answer: Maia, the goddess of fertility and spring.
7. What popular spring celebration is held on May 1st?
Answer: May Day.
8. What does May Day traditionally celebrate in many European countries?
Answer: The arrival of spring and the beginning of summer.
9. What is the Maypole?
Answer: A tall wooden pole decorated with flowers and ribbons, around which people traditionally dance on May Day.
10. What special meteor shower occurs in May each year?
Answer: The Eta Aquariids meteor shower, visible between approximately April 19 and May 28.
11. Which season does May fall in the Northern Hemisphere?
Answer: Spring.
12. Which season does May fall in the Southern Hemisphere?
Answer: Autumn (Fall).
13. True or false: No US president has ever died in May.
Answer: True! May is the only month in which no sitting US president has died.
14. What unique property does May have regarding the days of the week?
Answer: No other month in the same year starts or ends on the same day of the week as May.
15. What is the meaning of the Lily of the Valley, May’s birth flower?
Answer: It symbolises the return of happiness and sweetness.
May Holidays Trivia Questions
May is packed with holidays and special observances. These questions cover the big ones, and a few you might not have heard of!
Mother’s Day trivia
16. When is Mother’s Day celebrated in the United States, Canada, and Australia?
Answer: The second Sunday of May.
17. Who is credited with founding Mother’s Day as an official holiday?
Answer: Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for the holiday in honour of her own mother.
18. In what year did Mother’s Day become an official US national holiday?
Answer: 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law.
19. Which country celebrates Mother’s Day on March 22nd instead of May?
Answer: Lebanon.
20. What is the most popular gift given on Mother’s Day?
Answer: Flowers, particularly carnations, which were Anna Jarvis’s mother’s favorite flower.
Cinco de Mayo trivia
21. What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?
Answer: Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
22. Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico’s Independence Day?
Answer: No, Mexico’s Independence Day is September 16th. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla.
23. In which Mexican state did the Battle of Puebla take place?
Answer: Puebla.
24. Who led the Mexican forces to victory at the Battle of Puebla?
Answer: General Ignacio Zaragoza.
25. In which country is Cinco de Mayo celebrated most enthusiastically outside of Mexico?
Answer: The United States.
Memorial Day trivia
26. What does Memorial Day honour?
Answer: US military personnel who have died in service to their country.
27. When is Memorial Day observed in the United States?
Answer: The last Monday of May.
28. What was Memorial Day originally called when it was first observed in 1868?
Answer: Decoration Day.
29. What is the traditional activity on Memorial Day that gives it its original name?
Answer: Decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.
30. What time are Americans asked to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day?
Answer: 3:00 PM local time.
Other May holidays and observances trivia
31. What is celebrated on May 4th by fans of a famous movie franchise?
Answer: Star Wars Day, because ‘May the fourth be with you’ sounds like the franchise’s famous phrase ‘May the Force be with you.’
32. What day is celebrated on May 5th in Japan as a national holiday?
Answer: Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi).
33. What is celebrated on May 1st in many countries as an international workers’ holiday?
Answer: International Workers’ Day (Labour Day).
34. What does World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3rd, promote?
Answer: Freedom of the press and the importance of journalism.
35. National Nurses Day is observed on May 6th in the US. What week does it fall in?
Answer: National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6th to May 12th.
36. What is celebrated on May 25th in Africa?
Answer: Africa Day, also known as African Liberation Day, marking the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.
37. What is observed on the first Tuesday in May in the US?
Answer: National Teacher Appreciation Day.
38. May is National Burger Month in the US. Which country is credited with inventing the hamburger?
Answer: The United States, Hamburg-style beef patties were popularized at American fairs in the late 1800s.
May History Trivia Questions
Some of history’s most fascinating moments happened in May. How many of these do you know?
39. On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to do what?
Answer: Reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
40. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first person to accomplish what athletic feat?
Answer: Run a mile in under four minutes (3 minutes, 59.4 seconds).
41. What historic event began on May 6, 1994?
Answer: The Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) opened, linking England and France under the English Channel.
42. On May 8, 1945, what did the world celebrate?
Answer: VE Day, Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe.
43. Marilyn Monroe famously sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to which US president on May 19, 1962?
Answer: President John F. Kennedy, at a birthday fundraiser at Madison Square Garden.
44. What did Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis officially patent in May 1873?
Answer: Blue jeans (denim trousers with rivets).
45. On May 5, 1961, who became the first American in space?
Answer: Alan Shepard, aboard Freedom 7.
46. The Titanic was discovered in September 1985, but it sank in which month?
Answer: April, but the official inquiry into the disaster concluded in May 1912.
47. On May 18, 1980, which US volcano erupted catastrophically, killing 57 people?
Answer: Mount St. Helens in Washington State.
48. Which famous ancient wonder of the world was reportedly completed in May around 280 BC?
Answer: The Lighthouse of Alexandria.
49. The Cannes Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film events, is held annually in which month?
Answer: May.
50. In May 1796, which English physician administered the world’s first vaccine?
Answer: Edward Jenner, he administered the first smallpox vaccine.
Famous May Birthdays Trivia
Some seriously famous people were born in May! See how many of these you can get right.
51. Which legendary rock band’s frontman Dwayne Johnson was born on May 2, 1972?
Answer: Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) is a professional wrestler turned actor. He was born on May 2, 1972.
52. Which iconic Italian artist and polymath, born on May 2, 1519 (died), painted the Mona Lisa?
Answer: Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2, 1519. He painted the Mona Lisa.
53. Which British monarch, born on May 24, 1819, reigned for over 63 years and gave her name to an era?
Answer: Queen Victoria.
54. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook (now Meta), was born on May 14 of which year?
Answer: 1984.
55. Which Hollywood actress, known for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, was born on May 4, 1929?
Answer: Audrey Hepburn.
56. Adele, the Grammy-winning British singer, was born on May 5 of which year?
Answer: 1988.
57. Which reggae legend, famous for songs like No Woman No Cry, was born on February 6 but died in May 1981?
Answer: Bob Marley, who passed away on May 11, 1981.
58. American President John F. Kennedy was born on May 29 of which year?
Answer: 1917.
59. Which famous nurse, known as the founder of modern nursing, was born on May 12, 1820?
Answer: Florence Nightingale.
60. Stevie Wonder, the legendary musician, was born on May 13 of which year?
Answer: 1950.
61. Which star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, born May 4, is known for playing Captain America?
Answer: Chris Evans.
62. Singer and actress Cher was born on May 20, 1946. What is her full birth name?
Answer: Cherilyn Sarkisian.
63. Which ‘Friends’ actress, born on May 5, 1969, is famous for her role as Phoebe Buffay?
Answer: Lisa Kudrow.
May Fun Facts Trivia
These questions are all about the weird, wonderful, and surprising facts about May. Great for stumping your friends!
64. May is National Pet Month in which country?
Answer: The United Kingdom.
65. What is the Kentucky Derby, held on the first Saturday in May, famous for being?
Answer: One of the oldest and most prestigious horse racing events in the United States, the first leg of the Triple Crown.
66. The Indianapolis 500 motor race is held annually in May. What is its nickname?
Answer: The Indy 500, also known as ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’
67. In the US, May is dedicated to awareness of which mental health initiative?
Answer: Mental Health Awareness Month.
68. What is the name of the famous annual flower show held in London every May, considered the world’s most prestigious garden event?
Answer: The Chelsea Flower Show.
69. What does the emerald, May’s birthstone, traditionally symbolise?
Answer: Fertility, rebirth, love, and wisdom.
70. The Chelsea Flower Show, one of the world’s most famous horticultural shows, is held in which city every May?
Answer: London, England.
71. In the US, May is celebrated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. When was this officially established?
Answer: 1992, when Congress passed a law officially designating May for this recognition.
72. The Monaco Grand Prix, one of Formula 1’s most iconic races, is traditionally held in which month?
Answer: May.
73. Taurus is represented by which animal in the zodiac?
Answer: The bull.
74. Gemini means ‘twins’ in which language?
Answer: Latin, which is why the Gemini symbol is the twins..
75. The phrase ‘May flowers’ comes from a famous saying. What is the full saying?
Answer: ‘April showers bring May flowers.’
May Trivia Questions for Kids
These easy May trivia questions are perfect for younger players, classroom games, family trivia nights, or just a bit of springtime fun with the kids!
76. What number month is May?
Answer: The 5th month.
77. How many days are in May?
Answer: 31 days.
78. What special day for mums happens in May?
Answer: Mother’s Day!
79. What do we call the beautiful coloured stones linked to May birthdays?
Answer: Emeralds, they’re green and sparkly!
80. May the 4th is a fun day for fans of which famous movie series?
Answer: Star Wars! People say ‘May the fourth be with you.’
81. What season is May in the Northern Hemisphere?
Answer: Spring!
82. What is a Maypole?
Answer: A tall pole decorated with ribbons and flowers that people dance around on May Day.
83. What pretty green flower is one of May’s birth flowers?
Answer: Lily of the Valley.
84. What giant race with horses happens on the first Saturday in May in America?
Answer: The Kentucky Derby!
85. Which superstar character from Marvel movies has his birthday on May 4th? (Hint: he carries a shield!)
Answer: Captain America, and his actor, Chris Evans, was born on May 6th!
86. If you were born in May, what color is your birthstone?
Answer: Green, an emerald is green.
87. What big Mexican celebration happens on May 5th?
Answer: Cinco de Mayo!
88. In the US, the last Monday of May is a special holiday. What is it called?
Answer: Memorial Day.
89. What famous nurse was born on May 12, 1820?
Answer: Florence Nightingale.
90. Which famous comet is responsible for May’s spectacular meteor shower?
Answer: Halley’s Comet.
Hard May Trivia Questions
Think you’re a May trivia expert? These trickier questions will sort out the true May masters from the rest! Great for the competitive players at the table.
91. The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is associated with which famous comet?
Answer: Halley’s Comet, the meteors are debris left in the comet’s trail.
92. What was the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrim Fathers to America, which shares its name with a May celebration?
Answer: The Mayflower.
93. In which year did the UK first celebrate the late May Bank Holiday on the last Monday of the month?
Answer: 1971, before that it was fixed on Whit Monday.
94. Florence Nightingale is associated with which war, where she became famous for nursing wounded soldiers?
Answer: The Crimean War (1853–1856).
95. The word ‘May’ in ‘Mayday,’ the international distress signal used by pilots and sailors, comes from which language?
Answer: French, it comes from ‘M’aidez,’ meaning ‘help me.’
96. Which famous painting was completed by Leonardo da Vinci around 1503–1519, and is now housed in the Louvre in Paris?
Answer: The Mona Lisa (La Gioconda).
97. Queen Victoria reigned as British monarch for how many years?
Answer: 63 years and 7 months, from 1837 until her death in 1901.
98. The 1954 four-minute mile was run by Roger Bannister at a track meet in which English city?
Answer: Oxford.
99. How many times has the Kentucky Derby been run as of 2025?
Answer: 151 times, the first race was held in 1875.
100. In which year was the Cannes Film Festival first held?
Answer: 1946 (it was planned for 1939 but delayed by World War II).
101. What is the full name of the Maypole dance’s country of origin, where it was first recorded around 1350 AD?
Answer: England, though similar traditions exist across Europe.
102. What natural disaster struck the Italian city of Pompeii on May 24, in the year 79 AD?
Answer: The eruption of Mount Vesuvius, although historians now believe it may have been October. May 24 was the traditional date taught for centuries.
May Trivia: Multiple Choice Round
Mix things up with this multiple choice round, perfect for game show-style trivia nights or playing with kids who might find open questions too hard.
103. What is May’s birthstone?a) Ruby b) Sapphire c) Emerald d) Diamond
Answer: c) Emerald.
104. When is Mother’s Day in the United States?a) First Sunday of May b) Second Sunday of May c) Last Sunday of May d) May 14th
Answer: b) The second Sunday of May.
105. What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?a) Mexican Independence Day b) The Battle of Puebla c) The Day of the Dead d) Mexico’s constitution
Answer: b) The Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862).
106. Who first broke the four-minute mile barrier?a) Jesse Owens b) Usain Bolt c) Roger Bannister d) Sebastian Coe
Answer: c) Roger Bannister, on May 6, 1954.
107. Which of these famous people was NOT born in May?a) Florence Nightingale b) Audrey Hepburn c) Queen Victoria d) Marilyn Monroe
Answer: d) Marilyn Monroe, she was born on June 1, 1926.
108. What is the last Monday of May in the United States?a) Labor Day b) Memorial Day c) Presidents’ Day d) Veterans Day
Answer: b) Memorial Day.
109. In what year was the original Star Wars film first released in cinemas? a) 1975 b) 1977 c) 1979 d) 1981
Answer: b) 1977.
110. How many days does May have?a) 28 b) 29 c) 30 d) 31
Answer: d) 31 days.
Frequently Asked Questions About May Trivia
What are some easy May trivia questions for kids?
Great easy May trivia questions for kids include: How many days are in May? (31), What special day for mums is in May? (Mother’s Day), What number month is May? (5th), What’s May’s birthstone? (emerald), and What movie is celebrated on May 4th? (Star Wars). Keep questions visual and fun.
What are the most important holidays in May?
The biggest holidays and observances in May include Mother’s Day (second Sunday), Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), Star Wars Day (May 4th), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), International Workers’ Day/May Day (May 1st), and Children’s Day in Japan (May 5th). May is also Mental Health Awareness Month and National Pet Month in the UK.
What are some fun facts about the month of May?
May has some brilliant quirks: no US president has ever died in May, the Eta Aquariids meteor shower peaks in May (it’s debris from Halley’s Comet!), May is the only month that doesn’t share a starting or ending day of the week with any other month in the same year, and the word ‘Mayday’ (the emergency distress call) comes from the French ‘m’aidez’ meaning ‘help me’, not from the month of May.
Who are some famous people born in May?
May has some incredibly famous birthdays! Florence Nightingale (May 12), Queen Victoria (May 24), Audrey Hepburn (May 4), John F. Kennedy (May 29), Stevie Wonder (May 13), Adele (May 5), Chris Evans (May 13), Lisa Kudrow (May 30), and Mark Zuckerberg (May 14) were all born in May.
What is a good May trivia question to stump people?
One of the best stumpers is: ‘No US president has ever died in which month?’ The answer is May, and almost nobody gets it! Another great one: ‘Where does the word Mayday come from?’ Most people assume it has something to do with the month, but it actually comes from the French phrase ‘m’aidez,’ meaning ‘help me.’
How many questions should I use for a May trivia game night?
For a casual game night with family or friends, 20–30 questions across 3–4 rounds works perfectly. Keep each round to about 8–10 questions, take a break between rounds, and mix easy and hard questions. For a classroom activity, 10–15 questions is the sweet spot to keep kids engaged without losing momentum.
There you have it, over 100 May trivia questions and answers covering everything from Mother’s Day and Cinco de Mayo to fascinating history, famous birthdays, and fun facts that most people have never heard of.
Whether you aced the hard round or learned something brand new, I hope these questions bring loads of fun to your game night, classroom, or family gathering this May.
If you loved these May trivia questions, you might also enjoy our Spring trivia, March trivia, and April trivia posts, plus our full collection of party games to make any gathering even more fun.
