Mother’s Day is a special day celebrated globally to honor mothers and motherhood. It is a day to show appreciation for the hard work, love, and care that mothers provide to their families. Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries, but it is usually celebrated on the second Sunday in May in most parts of the world.
The History of Mother’s Day
The history of Mother’s Day can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman times. In ancient Greece, the annual spring festival was dedicated to Rhea, the mother of the gods. The ancient Romans also celebrated a similar festival called Hilaria, which was held in honor of Cybele, the mother goddess.
However, the modern version of Mother’s Day was started by Anna Jarvis in 1908. Anna Jarvis was an American woman who wanted to honor her mother, who had worked tirelessly to promote peace and health during the Civil War. Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in West Virginia, and it was an instant success.
Soon after, Mother’s Day became a national holiday in the United States, and other countries followed suit. Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in over 40 countries around the world.
How Mother’s Day is Celebrated
Mother’s Day is celebrated in different ways around the world. In some countries, it is a day to give flowers, gifts, and cards to mothers to show appreciation for their love and hard work. In other countries, it is a day for children to prepare breakfast in bed for their mothers, while in others, it is a day for families to get together and have a special meal.
In the United States, Mother’s Day is one of the most celebrated holidays, and it is a big day for retailers. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent over $25 billion on Mother’s Day gifts in 2021.
However, the commercialization of Mother’s Day has been a source of controversy. Anna Jarvis, who started the holiday, was disappointed that Mother’s Day had become too commercialized and had lost its original meaning. She started a campaign to have the holiday removed from the calendar, but her efforts were unsuccessful.
Mother’s Day Around the World
Mother’s Day is celebrated in different ways around the world, and it is interesting to see how different cultures honor mothers.
In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day is also known as Mothering Sunday, and it is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. On this day, children give flowers and cards to their mothers and grandmothers, and families often have a special meal together.
In Mexico, Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10, and it is a big celebration. Children prepare special songs and poems for their mothers, and families often have a big meal together. In some parts of Mexico, there is a tradition of serenading mothers with a song called “Las Mañanitas” in the early morning.
In Japan, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and it is a day for children to show their appreciation for their mothers. It is common for children to give flowers and cards to their mothers, and families often have a special meal together.
In Ethiopia, Mother’s Day is celebrated in the fall, on the last Sunday of November or the first Sunday of December. It is a day for families to get together and have a special meal, and children often bring homemade gifts to their mothers.
Mother’s Day is a special day to show appreciation for the hard work, love, and care that mothers provide to their families. It is celebrated in different ways around the world, but the sentiment is the same. It is a day to honor and thank our mothers for all that they do for us.