Mother's Day throughout the World
A Mother's Day Special
In the United States, children of all ages (including those well into adulthood!) formally celebrate their mothers, usually in more tangible ways than during any other time of the year.
England was one of the first countries to set aside a day to recognize mothers. In the eighteenth century when many people worked as household servants for the rich, “Mothering Sunday” was reserved for them to return home to be with their mothers. Though this custom stopped when the Industrial Revolution altered the working and living pat terns of the people, one Sunday for Mothers was established as a holiday in the twentieth century.
The idea of celebrating Mother’s Day in the US was first conceptualized by Julia Ward Howe (famous lyricist of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”). In 1870, Julia Ward Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation”. Distressed over what she saw as the unnecessary deaths of young men during the Civil War, Howe called upon mothers to come together and protest the senselessness of “sons killing the sons of other Mothers”, and to unite and celebrate an international Mother’s Day that would celebrate both peace and motherhood. She originally proposed converting July 4th into Mother’s Day as a way to dedicate the nation’s anniversary to peace. By 1873, eighteen North American cities observed the new Mother’s Day holiday. However, Howe was the principal financier of these celebrations, and as she stopped contributing, many cities and states ceased observing the holiday. The idea for a day set aside to honor Mother’s lost momentum until the early 1900s when Anna Jarvis again began campaigning for the creation of an official Mother’s Day in remembrance of her mother and in honor of peace.
Anna Jarvis was the daughter of Anna Reeves Jarvis, and it is said that she swore at her mother’s grave-site that she would dedicate a day to honor mothers, both living and deceased. Anna’s mother had provided strength and support as the family made their home in West Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where her father served as a minister. As a girl, Anna had helped her mother take care of her garden, mostly filled with white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower.
When Mrs. Jarvis died on May 5, 1905, Anna was determined to honor her. She asked the minister at her church in West Virginia to give a sermon in her mother’s memory. On the same Sunday in Philadelphia, their minister honored Mrs. Jarvis and all mothers with a special Mother’s Day service. Anna Jarvis began writing to congressmen, asking them to set aside a day to honor mothers. In 1910, the governor of West Virginia proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day and in 1914 the bill passed in Congress. President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day - forever establishing Mother’s Day as an official holiday in the U.S.
Austria, Germany and Switzerland
In Austria, Germany and Switzerland, Mother’s Day, aka Muttertag, is observed on the second Sunday in May (same as the US and several other countries around the world). During the First World War, Switzerland became one the first European countries to introduce Mother’s Day, with their first celebration in 1917. Germany’s first Muttertag took place in 1922, and Austria’s first celebration was in 1926. For all three countries, Mother’s Day is a celebration of love and gratitude.
Canada
Canada was one of the first nations to pick up the US version of Mother’s Day, making it a national holiday in 1909. The customs largely reflect those of its southern neighbor, although in Canada there seems to be an added emphasis on doing chores for the Mother and cooking her supper.
Ethiopia
Mother’s Day in Ethiopia is celebrated with a three-day festival called Antrosht, which takes place at the end of Fall. Not only is it a celebration to honor mothers, but also a time to celebrate the end of the rainy season. It is a time for singing and dancing and an amazing three-day feast where a traditional hash meal is prepared, with all members of the family bringing the various ingredients.
France
Mother’s Day in France is called Fete des Meres. It takes place in late May or early June, depending on when Pentecost takes place. Fete des Meres became an official celebration in 1950, although Napoleon was the first to declare it a holiday. Much like other countries of the world, the French celebrate their mothers with a relaxing day of food and gifts and spending time with family.
India
Mother’s Day in India is celebrated during the second week of May. Here, the day is spent thanking mum for everything she has done over the year; be it cook you dinner, loan you money, wash your clothes or help you with your homework. In this part of the world, large family meals are protocol and mum is ordered to relax and steer clear of the kitchen!
Mexico
‘Dia de las Madres’ (Mother’s Day to most) is celebrated in Mexico on the second Sunday of May. This colourful celebration is one of the most popular traditions hosted by the country and is enjoyed both at work and at school. It’s tradition for children to visit their mothers on the eve of Mother’s Day and gift her with handmade presents, cards and flowers.
Pakistan
Mother’s Day in Pakistan is a huge celebration and one that is taken extremely seriously! There are even TV shows dedicated to this date, with many celebrations taking place across the country. For any one who has sadly lost their Mother, this day is used to pray for their loved ones. Nicknamed ‘Yaum ulumm’ all mothers are bestowed with gifts, and both celebrations and feasts are customary.
Peru
Mother’s Day in Peru, much like other countries in the world, is celebrated with flowers and gifts and takes place on the second Sunday in May. A particularly unique aspect of Peruvian Mother’s Day celebrations is that thousands of people gather at cemeteries on Mother’s Day to celebrate all of the mothers who have passed away.
Sweden
The Swedish rejoice Mother’s Day on the last Sunday of May. Many children sell small plastic flowers as gifts to mark this special occasion. The money raised is used to send mothers with young children on a small trip! Other traditions include breakfast in bed, a dinner at her favorite restaurant and beautiful bouquets of flowers.
Taiwan
Mother’s Day is of huge importance in Taiwan as it falls on the same date as the Buddha’s birthday – the second Sunday in May. It is said to be a unified celebration and religious observance. Mother’s Day is therefore seen as an extremely holy celebration as it coincides with the ‘washing of the Buddha’ – meaning there are an abundance of carnivals, fetes and parties to attend, all of which are lavish and widespread.
Yugoslavia
Possibly one of the most unusual ways to celebrate Mothering Sunday – in Yugoslavia children creep into their parent’s bedroom first thing in the morning, and tie her up! In order to be released, it’s compulsorily for the Mother of the family to present her children with gifts as soon as she wakes up. This harmless fun, which is celebrated in December, guarantees to put a smile on everyone’s faces!
Sources:
www.serenataf lowers.com
www.globalcitizen.org
www.fromyouf lowers.com