If there’s one thing that has a universal meaning it’s the love of a mother. Mother’s Day is a celebration of the importance of maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in our communities. In North America, the celebration of Mother’s Day began in the early 20th century but the special day is actually celebrated in different ways (and at different times) throughout the world.
The United States
Celebrated: Second Sunday of May
Regular Mother’s Day celebrations began just after the turn of the 20th century. The holiday was first celebrated in 1908, following Anna Jarvis’ memorial for her mother Ann, a famous peace activist, at a church in West Virginia. Ann Jarvis cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Her daughter positioned it to be a public holiday under the assumption that mothers do more for society than anyone else. Nowadays people celebrate by treating their moms to special meals, clothing, candy, chocolate and flowers. Schools also help young children prepare handmade gifts for their mothers in the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day.
Belgium
Celebrated: Second Sunday of May or August 15th
In Belguim, Mother’s Day is referred to as either Moederdag or Moederkesdag in Dutch and Fête des Mères in French. The date of celebration is a result of a campaign by Belgian painter, Frans Van Kuyck. Similar to the United States, children make gifts at school, which they then give to their moms the morning of Mother’s Day. Dads will buy croissants and pastries to serve to their wives in bed, followed by a day of pampering. People who live in and around the town of Antwerp choose to celebrate Mother’s Day on the Assumption, the day Catholics believe Mary ascended to heaven.
Australia
Celebrated: Second Sunday of May
In Australia, Mother’s Day involves the giving of gifts to moms and was started by Janet Heyden in 1924, a resident of Leichhardt, Sydney. Heyden began the tradition of celebrating mothers after being inspired during a visit to the Newington State Home for Women. During her visit she noticed there were many lonely and forgotten mothers and so to cheer them up, she rallied support from local children and businesses to donate and bring gifts to the women. Every year thereafter, Mrs Heyden raised increasing support for the budding tradition from the community and it has since become a regularly observed holiday. The chrysanthemum is given to moms for Mother’s Day as the unofficial flower of the holiday, as they’re both in season during May and end in “mum,” which is slang for “mother” in Australia.
Mexico
Celebrated: May 10th
The first official Mothers’ Day was held on May 10, 1922 and was inspired by celebrations of the day in the United States. Different political parties promoted Mother’s Day for varying purposes throughout the 20th century but eventually the Mexican people would bring the focus on maternal religious figures like Madonna and Child. To celebrate, it’s tradition to start the festivities with the famous song “Las Mañanitas,” either a cappella or with the help of a mariachi band. Typically many families gather to celebrate this special day by spending as much time as possible with moms to show their appreciation and give thanks. Often times families will come together for large potlucks or take their moms out to restaurants.
Israel
Celebrated: Between January 30th and March 1st
The Jewish population of Israel previously celebrated Mother’s Day on Shevat 30 of the Jewish calendar, which falls between the end of January and the beginning of March. The celebration was originally set as the same date that Henrietta Szold died. Although Henrietta never had any children herself, she led the organization Youth Aliyah, which was responsible for the rescue of countless Jewish children from Nazi Germany. As a result of her efforts with Youth Aliyah, Szold is considered the “mother” of many children, and Mother’s Day was set as a day to honour her memory. The holiday has evolved over time, and is now called Family Day. The specific celebration of Mother’s Day is mainly carried on by young children. Gifts aren’t often exchanged as there’s recently been a shift to de-commercializing the holiday.
