मातृ दिवस

About Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a holiday honouring mothers, motherhood, and maternal bonds. It is celebrated on various dates around the world, though the most common date is the second Sunday of May, observed in the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

The day is an opportunity to express gratitude and love for mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and mother figures of all kinds. It is marked by gift-giving, special meals, heartfelt cards, and quality time spent together. Mother's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants, florists, and card retailers.

While the specific dates and customs vary by country, the universal sentiment behind Mother's Day — recognising and celebrating the vital role mothers play in families and society — transcends cultural and national boundaries.

History & Origins

The modern American Mother's Day was established largely through the efforts of Anna Jarvis, who organised the first official Mother's Day celebration in 1908 at a church in Grafton, West Virginia, in honour of her own mother. Jarvis campaigned tirelessly for the holiday's official recognition, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day — a national holiday.

Ironically, Jarvis later became deeply critical of the holiday's commercialisation, spending much of her later life and fortune fighting against the greeting card and flower industries that profited from it. The concept of honouring mothers, however, is far older than the modern holiday. Ancient Greeks celebrated Rhea, the mother of the gods. In the UK, Mothering Sunday has been observed since the 16th century, when it was traditional for servants to return to their "mother church" and visit their families. Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world.

How It's Celebrated

• Cards & flowers — Greeting cards and bouquets (especially carnations, the flower Anna Jarvis associated with motherhood) are the most traditional gifts. Mother's Day is one of the highest-volume days for card sales globally.
• Breakfast in bed — Many families treat their mothers to breakfast or brunch in bed, with children often helping to prepare the meal.
• Dining out — Mother's Day is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year, as families take their mothers out for a special meal.
• Gifts & pampering — Spa treatments, jewellery, perfume, and personalised gifts are popular ways to show appreciation.
• Family gatherings — Extended families often come together to celebrate, with multiple generations honouring the matriarchs of the family.
• Acts of service — Many children and partners express their love by taking over household chores, giving mothers a well-deserved day of rest.