What is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is a day where mothers are celebrated and honored for their many accomplishments. Consider it a day when you pay back maternal figures in this world for their wonderful, hard work, from raising you to teaching and supporting you, throughout your lifetime. Also, remember Mother’s Day also honors mothers who have lost a child and women who cannot be a mother due to infertility or other health reasons.
When did it start?
Mother’s Day started in 1907 by Anna Jarvis at a Methodist Church in West Virginia, where white carnations were reportedly distributed to those in attendance. Anna wanted to celebrate her mother, who had passed away in 1905. It continued until 1911 when it became an official holiday in every state in the USA. In 1914, the day was declared on the second Sunday of May a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson.
Mother’s Day around the world
Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world, including countries like Mexico, Japan, and Ethiopia, not just America. It is a very well-known and celebrated holiday that honors the mothers in our lives.
Today, you will learn more about the dates, traditions, and differences of how Mother’s Day is celebrated.
Mother’s Day Dates
Some countries follow the original Mother’s Day date by the United States – the 12th day of May – but other countries have their own date and traditions.
Mother’s Day in other countries
1. United states of America
In the U.S., America celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May, which has been around for many years and still goes on today. In America they usually honor their mothers with cards, dinners, and/or flowers.
2. United Kingdom
In the UK, Mother’s Day goes by “Mothering Sunday” and takes place on the same day as the traditional Christian Day, which is the fourth Sunday of May. Mothers are honored with bouquets, candy, flowers, and most of all chocolates, just like you see in America!
3. Australia
Mother’s Day in Australia is also celebrated on the second Sunday of May and was first celebrated in 1924. Gift-giving to mothers first started in Australia by Janet Heyden as she wanted to honor mothers who had lost their husbands and sons in WWl to make sure they still felt loved and cared for. Some celebratory events in Australia are the Botanical Garden Zoo and walks for breast cancer. They also share Mother’s Day poems over the radio, on TV, and in parks.
4. Poland
In Poland, Mother’s Day is called Dzień Matki and has always been celebrated on the 26th of May, but it isn’t treated as a public holiday. Traditional celebrations include gifts and cards. Children will decorate and write laurki, which are hand-made cards with paper flowers.
5. Mexico
In Mexico, Mother’s Day or Dia de las Madres, is celebrated on the 10th of May. It is an exciting event for mothers and a great way to show them the love they deserve. Families will come together with food and make traditional family dishes or get together at restaurants. Bandas, which are music bands, perform for an audience and one of the most popular song choices is Las Mañanitas. Special mass services, flowers, and even handmade gifts are prepared.
6. Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 30th. Nicaragua ensures that mothers get the love and recognition they deserve – schools and businesses are closed and the day is spent with family. Celebratory traditions include concerts, supermarket campaigns, and special gifts created just for the holiday. Former President Anastasio Somoza Garcia followed American and Mexican traditions and established May 30th as Mother’s Day for his mother, Casmira Sacasa de Debayle.
7. Thailand
In Thailand, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 12th of August because it coincides with the birthday of Queen Sirkit, a member of the Thai royal family. This day celebrates her work to support the people of her country. Their Mother’s Day is a national holiday that includes parades, fireworks, and children giving gifts to their mothers. Jasmine flowers, a symbol of the purity of a mother’s love, are most popular. In temples, children also kneel before their mothers to show their reverence and gratitude for them.
8. Ethiopia
In most other countries, Mother’s Day is a one day celebration, but in Ethiopia, it lasts for three whole days and is called Antrosht. They celebrate with meals, songs, and dances. Their food celebration is known as “hash”: children take the place of their mothers and cook for them. Girls are in charge of spices and dairy, while boys bring the meat.
9. Malawi
In Malwai, Mother’s Day takes place on the 15th of October (quite far from the other days around the world when it is celebrated) and is treated as a national holiday. It is also World Rural Women’s Day and a speech is given by the president about its importance. Unlike other countries, Malawi doesn’t have large celebrations, so that is why a speech is given and hand-made crafts are presented as gifts.
10. Japan
In Japan, Mother’s Day used to be celebrated on the 6th of March, but in 1949 it changed to the second Sunday of May, just like the date in most other countries. Red carnations and bouquets for gifts are very popular in Japan, plus children spend time making hand-made gifts, such as dolls. Home-cooked meals made with eggs, like oyakodon, chicken, and rice, are served.
11. Russia
Russia has two dates for Mother’s Day: International Women’s Day on the 8th of March or the last Sunday in November. March 8th is very important since it is a day of activism, kick-starting impactful revolutions in the 20th century, such as women led protests, which have had a huge impact on the social and political landscape in Russia and also in other countries. Children celebrate Mother’s Day in Russia by preparing gifts and concerts for their mothers in schools.
12. Peru
In Peru, Peruvians speak Spanish: “Happy Mother’s Day” is “Feliz dia Mama”. Families get together at restaurants or a relative’s house to celebrate. Lima Gonzales, a mother from Lima, Peru, told CBS News, “In my family, we usually get together around lunchtime at someone’s house and spend the next several hours together, enjoying each other’s company and strengthening our family ties”. Some families are also known to celebrate at cemeteries to pay their respects for deceased mothers, aunts, and grandmothers. They bring food, drinks, and flowers to place on the graves. (Most foods and drinks are what the deceased enjoyed to eat and drink).
Works Cited
Cunningham, Mary. “Mother’s Day traditions differ across the world — see how other families celebrate.” CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mothers-day-traditions-differ-across-world-see-how-other-families-celebrate/.
“Mother’s Day Around The World | Teaching Wiki.” Twinkl, https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/mothers-day-around-the-world.
