Mother's Day History: How Did Mother's Day Begin?

The origin of celebrating a "mother figure" can be traced back to the times of Ancient Greece with some religious, cultural and seasonal elements.

All across the world, people have been celebrating motherhood in various ways in their own meanings and events. In most countries, however, official “Mother’s Day” is a relatively young celebration that has derived from the holiday started in Europe.


When did mother's day begin

Mother's Day has been celebrated for centuries that can be traced back to the times of ancient Greeks who held annual spring festivities to honor Rhea, the mother of many deities and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele.

When was Mother's Day started in USA

The English people who immigrated and settled in the USA did not continue the tradition of Mothering Sunday in their new land. In 1872, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston pacifist and suffragist, organized a day called a “Mother’s Day for Peace” by encouraging mothers to rally for peace, motherhood and womanhood.

Howe intended the day to unite women against war but many women in different American cities followed and started organizing a Mother’s Day for Peace gathering. Later, Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker organized women throughout the Civil War to improve sanitary conditions and set up a “Mother’s Friendship Day”.

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In 1907, Anna Jarvis, a daughter of Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, a Philadelphia school teacher set up a national Mother’s “Work Day” to raise awareness of poor health conditions. Jarvis asked the legislators and businessmen to create a special day for mothers.

What is the origin of Mothering Sunday

Jarvis's hard work paid off as President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed May 9, 1914, the first Mother’s Day official and the second Sunday in May every year became a national holiday in the USA. People initially observed “Mother’s Day” by attending church and gradually, by sending letters, cards, gifts and flowers.


Author Sunil S.


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