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This Sunday is Mother’s Day, so don’t forget to wish your mom a Happy Mother’s Day. In this edition, we’re going to explore how Mother’s Day began. Believe it or not, Mother’s Day celebrations date back to ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods.

During the 1600’s, Christians in England celebrated a day called “Mothering Sunday” which occurred on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This holiday honored Mary, the mother of Christ, and all of the mothers of England. During this time, many of the servants of the wealthy lived far away from home. On Mothering Day, they were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. A special cake, called a mothering cake, was often part of the day’s festivities.

The idea of Mother’s Day was first suggested by Julia Ward Howe in the United States, in 1872. She proposed this day to encourage mothers to rally for peace. However, in 1907, the official observance of Mother’s Day began due to a woman named Anna Jarvis. She decided to campaign to establish this holiday as a remembrance of her mother who died in 1905. She and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessmen, and politicians in their quest to establish the holiday nationally. She was successful, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.

Because of Jarvis’ efforts, many countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day. And in the United States, the second Sunday in May has become the most popular day to dine out. This just goes to show how many people take the time to honor and express their appreciation for their mothers. And rightfully so!