Mother's Day in the United States

Date: Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May each year.

History:

• The origins of Mother's Day as a holiday can be traced back to Anna Jarvis, who, after her mother's death in 1905, sought to establish a day to honor mothers and their sacrifices.
• Jarvis organized the first official Mother's Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia, in 1908.
• Due to her persistent campaign, President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day in 1914.

Traditions:

• Gift-Giving: Children often give gifts to their mothers, including flowers (with carnations being particularly associated with the holiday), cards, candy, and other tokens of appreciation.
• Acts of Appreciation: Many people take their mothers out for a meal or cook for them at home. Breakfast in bed is a common treat.
• Family Gatherings: It is common for extended families to get together or for children to visit their mothers if they live apart.
• Charitable Acts: Some people use the day to support causes related to women and mothers, such as donating to shelters for mothers or participating in charity runs.

What People Do: On Mother's Day, individuals often express gratitude toward their mothers and mother figures through various means:

• Personal gestures like preparing meals or doing chores for moms.
• Spending quality time together through outings or activities enjoyed by moms.
• Honoring and remembering mothers who have passed away with tributes or visits to their resting places.

Mother's Day remains one of the most commercially successful U.S. occasions for dining out and purchasing floral arrangements.