International Mother’s Day 2023: First Celebrated in 1907! But Who Started? Everything You Must Know About This ‘Special Day’

WorldFestivalLifestyle
By Vaskar Chakraborty
Mother's Day
Mother's Day | Courtesy: Edudwar

Mother’s Day is a celebration of motherhood that is celebrated in various ways all across the world. Mother’s Day in the US in 2023 happens on Sunday, May 14. Anna Jarvis came up with the idea for Mother’s Day in the United States in 1907, and it was recognized as a national holiday in the country in 1914. In the future, Jarvis would criticize the holiday’s commercialization, and she would spend the last years of her life seeking to have it banned. Mother’s Day ceremonies and dates can vary, but the custom calls for giving moms flowers, cards, and other presents.

It is another opportunity to celebrate and strengthen this bond, foster emotional well-being, and promote a culture of gratitude and respect for mothers and motherhood. Motherhood is challenging, so celebrating your mother is a way to show love, appreciation, and recognition for her irreplaceable role in a family. Mother’s Day and other occasions for celebration offer a chance to express sincere gratitude and appreciation for the love, sacrifices, and efforts that mothers give to their families. It is also a way to recognize and honor the role that mothers play in nurturing and raising children, allowing for moments of connection, reflection, and quality time spent together, which fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another.

Date

In many countries, including India, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May every year and this year the celebration will fall on May 14, 2023.

History

The celebration of mothers and motherhood has been present in various cultures throughout history. The Greeks and Romans held festivals to honor mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. The modern-day Mother’s Day, however, is believed to have originated from a Christian festival called “Mothering Sunday” which was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.

Initially, this day was meant for the faithful to return to their “mother church” for a special service. Gradually, it evolved into a more secular holiday where children would offer flowers and other tokens of appreciation to their mothers. This tradition waned in popularity before merging with the American Mother’s Day celebration in the 1930s and 1940s.

According to the local legends, Mothering Sunday was an early Christian celebration in England where people returned to their mother’s church and families presented small gifts to their mothers. In the US, Julia Ward Howe’s “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870 called for women to unite for peace and disarmament. Anna Jarvis later championed the modern Mother’s Day in the US after her mother’s death in 1905. President Woodrow Wilson designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the US in 1914. Jarvis protested against the holiday’s commercialization, campaigned for its abolition, and spent much of her later life fighting against its commercialization. Her campaign sparked ongoing discussions about balancing genuine appreciation and commercial motives in celebrating the holiday.

Significance

Mother’s Day is a day to show affection, admiration, and recognition for the selfless devotion and unconditional love that mothers provide throughout their lives. As such, it serves as a reminder of the immense significance of mothers and motherhood and is therefore significant for a number of reasons. Mother’s Day is a day set aside to honor and appreciate mothers and mother figures. It gives people a chance to show their appreciation for their love, sacrifices, and unwavering support, celebrate the precious and important role of motherhood, and recognize the enormous influence mothers have on the lives of their children, their families, and society at large. It also serves as a reminder to spend time with loved ones and fortifies the bond between mothers and their children.

It gives family members a chance to get together, show their love and appreciation, and make precious memories. It also recognizes the impact and guidance women provide and the part they play in forming their children’s values, personalities, and general development. Mother’s Day provides a special occasion for expressing thanks and appreciation for the selfless acts of love, care, and nurturing that moms give every day.

It is a chance to express gratitude for the many ways that moms improve our lives. Mother’s Day provides an opportunity to embrace and honor the special and irreplaceable connection that exists within the mother-child relationship, allowing for reflection on the close relationship between a mother and her children.

Mother’s Day celebrations help mothers feel better emotionally. It supports their crucial position as mothers and validates their work, fostering a sense of satisfaction, pride, and contentment.

Celebrations

It is normal to present gifts to mothers and mother figures on Mother’s Day, and these gifts might include flowers, cards, chocolates, jewelry, or personalized goods. Mother’s Day celebrations vary between cultures and nations, but they frequently feature some common elements. The presents are used as expressions of love, thanks, and appreciation. People can also join their families to commemorate Mother’s Day by sharing a special meal, going on an outing as a family, or planning a little celebration in their honor.

An important component of Mother’s Day is spending time with mothers. People can show their love and appreciation for their mothers by making breakfast in bed, writing heartfelt letters or cards, or doing chores or tasks to relieve them of their regular responsibilities. Activities can also include going for a walk, having a picnic, watching a movie together, or engaging in other shared interests and hobbies.

In addition to recognizing biological moms, Mother’s Day also acknowledges all other mother figures, such as stepmothers, grandmothers, adoptive mothers, and other women who have had a significant maternal influence on a person’s life. In some places, Mother’s Day is observed with public events or gatherings, such as concerts, parades, or special programs praising moms and celebrating motherhood.

In particular, for those whose mothers are deceased, Mother’s Day may also be a time for contemplation and recollection. As a result, many may visit cemeteries or make tributes to honor and remember their mother’s memory. The main focus of Mother’s Day celebrations is to honor and celebrate the immeasurable contribution that mothers have made to our lives. Specific activities and traditions may vary, but at their core, Mother’s Day is about showing love, appreciation, and gratitude to mothers and mother figures.

Mother’s Day Around the World

 

Vaskar Chakraborty

I have a passion for writing, exploring new places, and staying up-to-date with international affairs. In addition, I enjoy indulging in books and classical music, with reading being my favorite hobby. I find great excitement in consuming informative online content, and I also happen to be a big-time food enthusiast.

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