Mother’s Day is a commemoration in honor of motherhood and the significant role that mother’s play in society. This day is celebrated on different days in several countries of the world, usually in the months of March, April, or May.

Celebrating Mother’s Day has turned only recently into a tradition in most parts of the world, although in the United States of America, it has been observed since many years before. When other countries also began observing this day, they related it to several other events which were religious, historical, or legendary in nature. Hence the fact that Mother’s Day is held on different days in different countries.

It may also be noted here that some countries honored and celebrated motherhood in their own unique ways, and it is only recently that they have adapted certain American features of this occasions, like presenting mothers with carnations and other gifts.

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The significance of Mother’s Day also varies in different countries. While neglecting to observe it is considered offensive in some places, it is a mild festival in other places, mainly commemorated by immigrant people and broadcasted by the media to portray themes of a foreign culture.

Turning now to the United States of America, Mother’s Day is held here on the second Sunday in the month of May. The occasion was first held as a gesture of Julia Ward Howe’s issuance of a Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870, whereby she called upon women to support the cause of disarmament. While for a few years, Mother’s Day was not recognized as an occasion of much significance, its importance today originated in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908. The simple reason for observing this day was to honor mothers. Anna Jarivis of Grafton  had long aspired to annually celebrate a day to celebrate motherhood, and her desire turned into a reality through the support of an elite Philadelphia merchant by the name of John Wanamaker. Jarvis persevered in her mission until President Woodrow Wilson eventually declared this day to be an official national holiday in the year 1914.

Today, Mother’s Day in America is celebrated with much zeal and gusto. It is a day featuring flower sales, distribution of greeting cards, and other activities that express love and appreciation for mothers. Additionally, there is considerable attendance in Church on this day, and a lot of churchgoers commemorate the day with carnations, colored ones if their mothers are still living or white ones if they have passed away.