Mother's Day

Mother's Day
File:Mothers day flowers.jpg Flowers are one of the most popular Mother's Day gifts
Observed by	United States and many other countries
Type	Cultural and commercial
Date	Second Sunday in May
Scheduling	Varies (second Sunday)
Frequency	Annual
Duration	1 day
Celebrates	Honoring mothers and motherhood

Mother’s Day is an annual celebration observed in the United States on the second Sunday in May. It honors **mothers**, **mother figures**, and the role of **motherhood** in society.

Origins

The modern U.S. version of Mother’s Day was founded by **Anna Jarvis** in the early 20th century:

• First official celebration held in **1908**
• Became a **U.S. national holiday in 1914**, proclaimed by **President Woodrow Wilson**
• Originally intended as a personal, heartfelt observance — not a commercial one

Traditions

Mother’s Day is commonly celebrated with:

• **Cards and handwritten messages**
• **Flowers**, especially carnations and roses
• **Gift-giving** (jewelry, spa treatments, books)
• **Family meals**, brunches, or outings
• Children calling, visiting, or spending time with their mothers

Cultural Significance

• Considered one of the most emotionally significant holidays in the U.S.
• A day to reflect on the sacrifices, guidance, and unconditional love of mothers
• Extended to include grandmothers, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, and maternal guardians

Commercial Impact

• One of the most commercially successful holidays
• Americans spend over **$30 billion** annually on gifts and celebrations
• Businesses benefit from spikes in:

 - Flower sales
 - Restaurant bookings
 - Greeting card purchases

Fun Facts

• Mother’s Day is the **busiest day of the year for phone calls** in the U.S.
• Over **80% of Americans** celebrate the holiday
• **Anna Jarvis** later opposed the commercialization of the day she helped create

See Also

• Father's Day
• Valentine's Day
• American family values
• Holiday traditions in the United States
• Federal Holidays in the United States (Note: Mother’s Day is not a federal holiday)