National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for May 20, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
May 20, 2026 celebrates National Rescue Dog Day, plus 7 more. Each year on May 20, we recognizes all the benefits of allowing a four-legged canine to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life on National Rescue Dog Day.
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Annually on May 20, we celebrate National Be a Millionaire Day and wonder what it would be like to be a millionaire.
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May 20 is National Pick Strawberries Day on the National Day Calendar to encourage us to pick some strawberries. Right about this time of year, they start coming into season.
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On the third Wednesday in May, National Juice Slush Day celebrates the icy delight that has come to be known as frozen juice slush.
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National Streaming Day on May 20 recognizes the advancing and growing technology that makes our mobile lives run more smoothly.
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We celebrate May 20 as National Quiche Lorraine Day. This versatile French delight makes it an excellent dish for any time of the day.
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Today is May 20 and we want everyone to grab a crispy, juicy SugarBee® apple and enjoy the un-bee-lievable eating experience as you celebrate National SugarBee® Apple Day.
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We celebrate Emergency Medical Services for Children Day on Wednesday during Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. Also known as EMS Day, we give special thanks to EMS providers for the way they respond to the needs of millions of Americans every year.
Read the full story →People born on May 20
The 4th First Lady of the U.S. (President James Madison).
Co-founder of Wells Fargo and American Express.
Daughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne who became a nun and founded the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne.
Inventor of the Gramophone record.
Actor who earned great distinction in film, including The Murder Man (1935), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
Events that occurred on May 20 throughout history
Dorchester, Massachusetts, forms the first school to be funded by local tax dollars. Known as the Mather School, the school was funded by a tax on property owners on Thompson Island and was free to all children in the town.
The South Carolina Jockey Club, often cited as the first in the U.S., was established in Charleston around 1734. The club was composed of elite horse owners and breeders, notes the Steeplechase of Charleston.
The state of Kentucky proclaims its neutrality, which will last until September 3 when Confederate forces enter the state. Following September 3, the state legislature passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of Confederate forces and pledged loyalty to the Union.
President Lincoln signs the Homestead Act, opening 84 million acres of public land to settlers. This legislation was meant to encourage any U.S. citizen to live on, cultivate, and improve the land for five years, paying only a small registration fee.
Straus and Davis were granted U.S. Patent No. 139,121 for "Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings", marking the birth of blue jeans with copper rivets. Originally designed for workwear, this invention grew into the iconic 501 brand.
The first public display of Thomas Edison's prototype kinetoscope. Approximately 150 members of the National Federation of Women's Clubs viewed a 3-second film through a peephole in a pine box.
The U.S. Armed Forces Security Agency is established to eliminate duplication of effort between military branches after WWII. In 1952, the agency reorganized and became known as the National Security Agency (NSA).
U.S. troops capture Hill 937, also known as Hamburger Hill in Vietnam.
Longer-running observances that include this date.
National Mental Health Awareness Month
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Get Caught Reading Month
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Older Americans Month
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National Military Appreciation Month
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Eds Awareness Month
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Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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National Dental Care Month
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Skin Cancer Awareness Month
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Global Employee Health And Fitness Month
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National Strawberry Month
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National Stroke Awareness Month
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National Moving Month
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Showing the first 12 — See all months for May.
