CULLED FROM BRITANNICA
PHOTO: Anna Jarvis
Mother’s Day, holiday in honor of mothers that is celebrated in countries throughout the world. In its modern form the holiday originated in the United States. It was established by American social activist Anna Jarvis, who sought to honor her mother.
The first Mother’s Day church service was held on May 10, 1908. The day became a national holiday six years later, and it is observed in the U.S. on the second Sunday in May. Mother’s Day is celebrated with cards, flowers, and family dinners, among other activities.
Many other countries also celebrate the holiday on this date, while some mark the observance at other times of the year. During the Middle Ages the custom developed of allowing those who had moved away to visit their home parishes and their mothers on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. This became Mothering Sunday in Britain, where it continued into modern times, although it has largely been replaced by Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day | 2026, Holiday, Date, History, & Traditions | Britannica