Mother's Day is a holiday honoring the mother of the family and celebrates motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. Due to the perceived overcommercialization of Mother's Day, some countries celebrate the similar Mothering Sunday, which commemorates the Church (which becomes the "parent" of children when they're baptized), mothers of early homes, the Virgin Mary, and Mother Nature. The UK celebrates Mothering Day in a secular manner.

Anna Jarvis created Mother's Day in 1907 after her mother had died two years earlier. Congress rejected making it a national holiday in 1908, joking that they'd also have to celebrate a "Mothers-in-Law Day" as well. However, Jarvis' efforts lead to the day becoming official in all states in 1911, leading U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to sign a proclamation in 1914 establishing Mother's Day as a national holiday.

Jarvis eventually came to resent what she perceived to be the commercialization of Mother's Day, often boycotting and protesting Mother's Day celebrations.

More Information

Mother's Day (Wikipedia)

See also

• May (month)