Another name of Latin origin, the month of Maj is named after the ancient Roman calendar month of Maius, which takes its name from Maia, the goddess of spring and growth.
The first 3 days of Maj is a holiday period known in Polish as Majówka, kicking off with the Polish equivalent of May Day, a public holiday associated with the start of summer, but also commemorating workers' rights. This is followed by Polish National Flag Day (not a public holiday, but often used as an excuse to take the day off work anyway). Finally, on the third of the month is Constitution Day, which celebrates the declaration of the Constitution in 1791, a landmark reform of the laws and political structure that turned the Poland-Lithuanian commonwealth into a more democratic constitutional monarchy. While Majówka is designed to celebrate the ideals of liberal democracy, most Poles simply appreciate the opportunity to get out in the warm weather and have a barbeque with family and friends.
For university students studying in Poland, Maj is yet another opportunity to party. Juwenalia is a tradition that originated in Poland's oldest university - the Jagiellonian in Kraków - and has since been taken on at universities and colleges all over the country. As the last opportunity to let off some steam before the summer exams, students get involved in various parties, sporting events, parades and live music concerts with some of Poland's biggest artists featuring on the bill.
Last but not least, the 26th of Maj is the all-important Mothers' Day (PL: Dzień Matki). Like it is elsewhere in the world, mothers across Poland are showered with presents from their own children - cards, flowers, and any number of weird and wonderful gifts.
Check out other months in the Polish Calendar Year!
Styczeń (January)Luty (February)
Marzec (March)
Kwiecień (April)
Maj (May)
Czerwiec (June)
Lipiec (July)
Sierpień (August)
Wrzesień (September)
Październik (October)
Listopad (November)
Grudzień (December)
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