Date of Mother's Day 2024
This year, Mother's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Vietnam. Mother's Day is a day set aside to honor and celebrate mothers in many countries around the world.
Observance of Mother's Day
Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in over 65 countries worldwide (although on different dates). It serves as an opportunity for millions of people across the globe to express gratitude for the love, nurturing, and unwavering support provided by their mothers.
While Mother's Day is observed on a variety of dates internationally, the two most common are the second Sunday of May, which follows the American tradition of Mother's Day, and the fourth Sunday of Lent, which aligns with the British tradition of Mothering Sunday.
Origins of Mother's Day
The earliest origins of Mother's Day can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. Annual festivals honoring mothers were held during springtime, and in Greece, libations were poured out to the goddess Rhea, mother of the gods in Greek mythology.
However, Mother's Day as we know it today is credited to two American women: Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis and her daughter, Anna Marie Jarvis.
Over 100 years ago, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia, USA, formed a group called "Mother's Day Work Clubs" with the goal of reuniting families that had been torn apart by the Civil War. Although she was unable to establish an official holiday before her death, her desire to commemorate mothers and their contributions lived on.
Inspired by her mother's aspirations and frustrated by the lack of public recognition for mothers in the United States, Anna Jarvis took up the cause after her mother passed away in 1905.
After extensive efforts, she successfully organized the first official Mother's Day celebration in 1908 at Andrews Methodist Church. In conjunction with Anna Jarvis's own celebration, families gathered for events in Jarvis's hometown of Grafton, West Virginia, and other cities.
By 1911, Mother's Day was being observed in most states of the United States. On May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution designating the second Sunday of May as Mother's Day.
Significance of Mother's Day
Anna Jarvis envisioned Mother's Day as a day for individuals to return home to their mothers and express their appreciation for all they had done. She believed that this should not be a celebration of all mothers but rather a day to honor one's own mother, which is why she emphasized the singular form "Mother's Day" rather than "Mothers' Day."
Today, Mother's Day is celebrated worldwide. It is a day for children to express their gratitude to their mothers through heartfelt gestures, gifts, and well wishes.
Mother's Day Celebrations Around the World
Mother's Day in the United States
Considered a major holiday after Christmas and Valentine's Day, Mother's Day in the US is commemorated on the second Sunday of May. On this day, Americans commonly treat their mothers to dinner, as a break from household duties. Younger children often prepare breakfast in bed as a loving gesture.
The traditional flower associated with Mother's Day in the US is the carnation, specifically red or pink carnations for living mothers and white carnations to honor deceased mothers. Children also perform songs, plays, or create cards and gifts for their mothers.
Mother's Day in Australia
Like the United States, Mother's Day in Australia is observed on the second Sunday of May. Australians, following the global trend, view Mother's Day as an opportunity to express appreciation for their mothers. Children present flowers and cards to demonstrate their love and gratitude.
Carnations also hold significance in Australia on Mother's Day. Red or pink carnations symbolize living mothers, while white carnations are used to commemorate deceased mothers. In addition to biological mothers, people also show appreciation to stepmothers and other maternal figures in their lives.
Mother's Day in the United Kingdom and Ireland
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Mother's Day is not celebrated on the same day as in the United States. Mother's Day in Ireland occurs on the fourth Sunday of Lent. In the UK, it is known as Mothering Sunday.
During Mother's Day in Ireland, people express their love and appreciation for their mothers through flowers and cards. Additionally, special church services and theatrical performances are held.
In the UK, Mothering Sunday is celebrated by giving gifts to mothers in recognition of their love and support. Popular gift choices include roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums. The Simnel Cake, a type of fruitcake, is also traditionally baked and gifted on Mothering Sunday.
Although customs and dates vary across countries, Mother's Day universally serves as a day to express love and appreciation for the maternal figures in our lives.
Mother's Day in Japan
After World War II, Mother's Day gradually gained recognition in Japan, which had previously maintained a ban on Western cultural influences.
On the second Sunday of May, Japanese people purchase red carnations as gifts for their mothers. Gifts are also commonly exchanged.
Mother's Day in Thailand
Unlike many other nations, Mother's Day in Thailand is fixed on August 12 each year. This date coincides with the birthday of Queen Sirikit, the wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Temples conduct special ceremonies to honor mothers, and citizens buy jasmine garlands, which they bestow on their mothers or hang portraits of Queen Sirikit in their homes as a sign of respect.
Mother's Day in France
Mother's Day in France (also known as Fête des Mères) is celebrated on the last Sunday of May.
In addition to traditional flowers, flower-shaped cakes are also popular gifts for mothers in France.
Mother's Day in Mexico
Mothers hold a particularly revered position in Mexican society, and restaurants tend to be fully booked as people take their mothers out to celebrate. The holiday is observed on May 10 (and can extend for several days if desired).
The belief is prevalent that "Mothers work for us, cook for us, clean for us, we believe that for one day a year, we should take them out and let someone else do the cooking for them."
Mother's Day in Vietnam
In Vietnam, Mother's Day has become more widely observed and celebrated, along with other important days like Vu Lan Festival, Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20), and International Women's Day (March 8). On Mother's Day, Vietnamese people express gratitude to their mothers through flowers, gifts, and heartfelt messages.
Heartfelt Mother's Day Wishes
Mom, thank you for your patience and hard work in raising me into the person I am today. I appreciate your constant presence and unconditional love. Happy Mother's Day.
I am grateful for the warm, loving, and happy home you have provided. I am eternally fortunate to have you as my mother.
Thank you for accompanying me on every step of my journey. Being raised and nurtured by you is the greatest blessing in my life.
Motherhood is a challenging and demanding role. You have mastered it with grace. You are my hero.
I never have to worry about my family because I know that as long as you are there, everything will be in its place and happen as it should. You are the glue that holds us together. Thank you, Mom.
No matter how much I fail, I have never felt hopeless or lost, because I possess the most valuable gift in the world – you.
Mom, you are my pride and joy. On this Mother's Day, I want to give you all the best that life has to offer. I love you endlessly.
Like the stars in the sky, you guide my path and watch over me every step of the way. You have never left my side for a single moment. I love you, Mom.
My first happiness was having you as my mother, and my lasting happiness in life will continue to be having you as my mother.
My world would be an empty and cold place without you. You bring love, warmth, and laughter into my life. Thank you for the gift of life, for your guidance, and for your unwavering love. I love you, Mom.