The history of Mother’s Day: 6 interesting facts you didn’t know

Each year in May, we shower our mothers with flowers, gifts, and gratitude but how much do we really know about the origins of Mother’s Day? Beyond the greeting cards and brunches lies a rich and sometimes surprising history.
Here are six fascinating facts about Mother’s Day that might just change how you see this heartfelt holiday.
1. Mother’s Day has ancient roots
Although the modern celebration of Mother’s Day as we know it began in the early 20th century, the idea of honouring mothers dates back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans held festivals dedicated to mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele celebrating motherhood and fertility. These festivals involved offerings, feasts, and rituals to honour maternal figures.
2. The modern Mother’s Day was started by a peace activist
The Mother’s Day we know today was championed by Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century. After her own mother’s death in 1905, Jarvis campaigned to create a national holiday to honor mothers for their service and sacrifice. Interestingly, her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, had organized “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to improve health and sanitation, and even promoted peace after the Civil War.
3. Mother’s Day was initially a religious observance
Before becoming a secular holiday, Mother’s Day was originally a religious observance. In the United States, it was linked to church services and prayer. Anna Jarvis herself wanted Mother’s Day to be a day for churchgoing, prayer, and quiet reflection on the importance of motherhood, rather than commercial festivities.
4. Anna Jarvis later fought against the holiday’s commercialization
Ironically, Anna Jarvis grew to despise the very holiday she helped create. She was dismayed by the commercialization of Mother’s Day greeting cards, floral arrangements, and candy sales felt like an insult to the sincerity she intended. She even filed lawsuits and organized boycotts, hoping to return the holiday to its original purpose.
5. Mother’s Day became official in 1914
After years of campaigning, Anna Jarvis finally saw her dream realized when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the United States. It quickly gained popularity and was adopted in various forms around the world.
6. It’s celebrated differently around the world
Although the sentiment is universal, Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates and in unique ways across the globe. In Ethiopia, families gather for a multi-day festival called Antrosht, filled with food, dancing, and storytelling. In Thailand, Mother’s Day is observed on August 12, the birthday of Queen Sirikit, and includes parades and public ceremonies.