May Ray Day
National May Ray Day falls on May 19 every year.
There's something quietly radical about a holiday that asks nothing of you except to go outside. No gifts to buy, no cards to send, no elaborate traditions to uphold. Just you, the sun, and a slightly pun-ny invitation to soak in some rays.
It sounds simple, almost laughably so. But the more you dig into it, the more it reveals itself as something genuinely lovely: a day that began with one man wanting to honor his brother, got tangled up with a centuries-old colonial mystery, and quietly evolved into a universal reminder that sunlight real, actual sunlight on your actual skin is one of the most underrated things on earth.
National May Ray Day's Story
The person we owe this holiday to is Richard Ankli, a writer and comedian based in St. Joseph, Michigan. Back in 1977, Richard did something charmingly low-key: he decided to name a day after his brother, Ray Ankli, whose birthday fell on May 19.
He dubbed it National May Ray Day, and the tradition began at the Broadway Fun Spot- the nickname for the Broadway residence where the Ankli family spent their time- growing from a private family celebration into a recognized annual observance. Richard Ankli wasn't a one-trick-pony when it came to unofficial holidays, either. He's also the founder of Welcome Giving Day, celebrated in November. He had a gift for finding the warmth in ordinary days and giving them a name worth remembering.
But the date itself carries a stranger, older shadow. May 19 turns out to have been significant well before anyone named Ankli came along.
The Dark Day of New England- May 19, 1780
At around midday on May 19, 1780, a near-total, unexplained darkness fell across much of New England. Candles were lit at noon. Farmers reported their chickens going to roost as if it were night. Many residents genuinely believed the Day of Judgment had arrived.
Historians and scientists have never reached a definitive consensus on what caused this event- theories range from dense smoke from forest fires to unusual cloud formations but it has never been fully explained. The darkness lifted by evening. No one ever knew why it came.
The fact that May Ray Day- a celebration of light and sunshine falls on the exact date of this mysterious colonial darkness makes it feel less like a coincidence and more like a beautiful full-circle moment in history.
Why Stepping Out Will Actually Make You Feel Better
- UVB rays from sunlight hit the skin and convert a cholesterol compound into Vitamin D3. Your liver and kidneys then activate it. The whole process begins within minutes of exposure.
- Sunlight activates the pineal gland and drives up serotonin- the "feel-good" neurotransmitter.
- Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium and phosphorus. Without it, bones become fragile.
- Morning sunlight helps set your circadian clock, regulating melatonin release in the evening. This is why bright-light exposure first thing is a core part of sleep hygiene advice.
Celebrate May Ray Day
- Set the alarm a little earlier, grab your morning drink, and find a spot where you can actually watch the sun come up. You don't need a dramatic hilltop. A bench, a window ledge, or a garden chair will do. The point is the intention.
- Instead of eating at your desk, take your lunch into the sun. Even a 20-minute break in the sunlight is enough to meaningfully boost serotonin levels.
- Dig your hands into actual soil, plant a seed, and feel good about it. You'll get the sun on your skin and the satisfaction of contributing something to the earth.
- May Ray Day isn't just about the person named Ray. Think about who the "rays of sunshine" are in your own life and let them know. A text, a call, or a coffee goes a long way.
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