May
April showers bring May flowers 鈥 and May usually brings beautiful, warm weather and fun activities
This month, take time to visit historic sites and celebrate an American holiday. Watch the fastest horses in the country race for victory, and explore a national park. Welcome, and make the most of May in the United States!F
See the 鈥淢ost Exciting Two Minutes in Sports鈥
The Kentucky Derby horse race ends almost as quickly as it begins 鈥 but it鈥檚 a thrilling American tradition you won鈥檛 want to miss! Held every spring for more than 140 years, the is a 1录-mile race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds held at in Louisville, Kentucky. The Derby is the first of three races held every year that make up the . The next two races are called the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes 鈥 and a horse must win all three to be the Triple Crown champion. Only 11 horses have accomplished this. Sir Barton was the first in 1919, and Secretariat is the most famous Triple Crown winner (don鈥檛 miss the !). The most recent Triple Crown winner was American Pharaoh in 2015.
Memorial Day
This holiday originally was created in the 1800s to remember soldiers who died in the . Now, on the last Monday of May each year, Americans honor every American soldier who died in military service. On this special day, most businesses and schools are closed. Soldiers鈥 graves are marked with American flags, and we hold parades to pay tribute to the men and women who bravely sacrificed their lives for their country. Americans hold ceremonies at cemeteries and all over the nation.
This holiday weekend also marks the unofficial start to summer. To celebrate, friends and families relax in backyards and on beaches. Many host delicious barbeques and enjoy American favorites from the grill: burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and more.
World Hunger Day
Help solve hunger in the U.S. by giving your time and serving the community. Volunteer at a or soup kitchen on World Hunger Day this month and you will be taking part in helping millions receive the food that they need. Find an opportunity through the network, the nation鈥檚 largest domestic hunger-relief organization.
Yellowstone National Park
was the first national park in America 鈥 and the first in the world! Located mostly in , it was established in 1872 by , and includes more than 2 million acres of dramatic wilderness. Yellowstone has the world鈥檚 largest collection of hot springs. In fact, it was founded to protect these springs. Yellowstone鈥檚 greatest and most popular hot spring is , which shoots more than 4,000 gallons of boiling water 100 feet into the air every 90 minutes.