MOTHER'S DAY
Mother's Day is an annual holiday celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday in May. Mother's Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well as their positive contributions to their families and society. It was established by Anna Jarvis, with the first Mother's Day celebrated through a service of worship at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908. Popular observances include holiday card and gift giving, churchgoing often accompanied by the distribution of carnations, and family dinners. In the United States, Mother's Day complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father's Day, Siblings Day and Grandparents Day. Internationally, many Mother's Day celebrations have different origins and traditions, some also influenced by this more recent American tradition. For the international celebration, see Mother's Day. During the 19th century, women's peace groups in the United States tried establishing holidays and regular activities in favor of peace and against war. A common early activity was the meeting of groups of mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War. In 1868, Ann Jarvis, Anna Jarvis's mother, organized a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day", the purpose of which was "to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War." Ann Jarvis, who had previously organized Mother's Day Work Clubs to improve sanitation and health for both Union and Confederate encampments undergoing a typhoid outbreak, wanted to expand these into an annual memorial for mothers, but she died in 1905 before the annual celebration was established. Her daughter, who became almost obsessed with her, would continue her mother's efforts. There were several limited observances in the 1870s and the 1880s. Still, none achieved resonance beyond the local level.At the time, Protestant schools in the United States already held many celebrations and observations such as Children's Day, Temperance Sunday, Roll Call Day, Decision Day, Missionary Day and others.In New York City, Julia Ward Howe led a "Mother's Day for Peace" anti-war observance on June 2, 1872, which was accompanied by an "Appeal to womanhood throughout the world" (nowadays known as Mother's Day Proclamation). The observance continued in Boston for about ten years under Howe's sponsorship, then died out. In these celebrations, mothers all around the world would work towards world peace.
TRADITION OF TRUE LOVE The significance of Mother’s Day lies in its ability to acknowledge the profound impact mothers have on the lives of their children, imparting values, providing support, and nurturing growth. As mothers play a crucial role in shaping families and society, Mother’s Day marks their selfless love and unwavering dedication and people around the world celebrate it in diverse ways, expressing their love and appreciation for maternal figures. From heartfelt gestures like handmade cards and gifts to elaborate family gatherings and special outings, the celebrations reflect the unique cultural traditions of each region. In India, on Mother’s Day, families come together to honour the invaluable role that mothers play in their lives, celebrating the selfless love and sacrifices of mothers nationwide. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, children often present their mothers with flowers and cards as tokens of affection. In Japan, the carnation gifted to mothers symbolises love and gratitude, while Ethiopian families gather for large celebratory feasts. Mexicans honour mothers through serenades and poetry readings, and in Nepal, a special religious festival called Mata Tirtha Aunsi is observed.
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