Happy Mother's Day - Mother's Day History
On the second Saturday of May, most people in the world are going to wish a Happy Mother's Day to the most important woman in their life.
While many pretend that Mother's Day is a commercial invention, which purpose is to have people spend money buying presents for their mother, the celebration was born long ago. To say the truth, it was born centuries ago...
If you wish to learn why honoring mothers has become a yearly official celebration, I invite you to read on and discover this short guide on the Mother's Day story and traditions.
The Early Mother's Day Celebrations
In the ancient Roman society, the same kind of celebrations were held, though the Matronalia festival, a celebration that were meant to honor Juno, the childbirth Goddess. In these times, children and their fathers used to give presents to mothers.
When do we celebrate Mother's Day? In the spring, between the months of March and May.
In the United Kingdom the day is, in reality, Mothering Sunday. This celebration, that started in the 15th century, was basically a religious day, part of the Christian calendar; where those of the Christian faith used to honor the Virgin Mary on a particular Sunday of the year. Mother's Day gifts and family gatherings originate from this celebration.
The tradition to honor mothers didn't cross the Atlantic Sea before the beginning of the 20th century; when Anna Jarvis called for the celebration to become an official American holiday. Mother's Day celebrations became secular and many European countries such as Belgium, Germany, etc. adopted this holiday.
In France, the day was meant to honor the memory of the mothers and spouses who lost their husbands and sons in WWI.
Mother's Day Celebrations Today
As a matter of fact, Mother's Day is celebrated in the entire world and isn't just an US or British celebration: actually, the day, whatever the date chosen, is popular worldwide. Although the early celebrations of Mother's Day have religious roots, the day has a secular meaning.
Among Mother's Day traditions, are included:
- Sending a greeting card to wish our mom a Happy Mother's Day,
- Pay our mother a visit, more particularly if one hasn't seen her for a long time,
- A phone call to moms (a particularly popular tradition in the US),
- The gift giving to mothers,
- Giving a bunch of fresh flowers.
Naturally, people have also created their own Mother's Day traditions that they pass on from one generation to another.
Holly Day wishes all mothers a very happy Mother's Day.
