What is the History and Origin of Mother's Day?

Why Mother's Day is Celebrated: Mother's Day is celebrated around the world to recognise the love, sacrifices, and contributions of mothers. Have you ever thought about where this special day comes from? Its roots go back to ancient civilisations, religious customs, and the work of social activists like Anna Jarvis, who helped start the modern version in the United States in the early 1900s. In this article, we’ll explore the history, origins, changes, and worldwide importance of Mother’s Day.

What Is The Origin Of Mother's Day?

• Mother's Day began with ancient traditions celebrating mother goddesses in Greek and Roman cultures. 
• The holiday as we know it began in the United States in the early 1900s. 
• Ann Reeves Jarvis, a social activist, inspired the idea, and her daughter Anna Jarvis later made it official to honour her mother's sacrifices and the important role of mothers. 
• The first official Mother’s Day was held on May 10, 1908, at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. 
• Since then, the holiday has spread around the world and is now a special day to appreciate mothers and motherhood.

Who Invented Mother's Day And Why?

• Anna Jarvis is known as the founder of modern Mother's Day. 
• She started the holiday to honour her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, who helped improve public health and supported mothers during the American Civil War. 
• After her mother passed away in 1905, Anna worked to create a national day for mothers and organised the first official celebration in 1908. 
• She wanted people to thank and appreciate their mothers for their love and sacrifices. 
• Later, Anna spoke out against the commercialisation of the holiday because she felt it no longer reflected its original purpose.

Where Was Mother's Day Originally Celebrated?

• The first official Mother's Day was celebrated on May 10, 1908, at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. 
• This church had strong ties to Anna Jarvis and her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, who once taught Sunday school there. 
• That same day, another celebration took place in Philadelphia, where Anna Jarvis lived. 
• Today, Grafton is home to the International Mother's Day Shrine, which is recognised as the birthplace of Mother's Day. 
• This event started a movement that led to Mother's Day becoming a national holiday in the United States in 1914.

When Is Mother's Day In 2026?

• In 2026, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 10, in countries like the United States, India, Canada, and Australia. 
• These countries celebrate the holiday every year on the second Sunday of May. 
• It's a day to honour mothers, maternal figures, and everything they do for families and society. 
• Many people mark the occasion by giving flowers, cards, gifts, or simply spending time with their mothers.
• While some countries celebrate on different dates, the second Sunday of May is the most common choice worldwide.