Mother's Day 2024: History, origin, more

Mother's Day is a beloved global celebration with a long history based on a deep love and admiration for moms and motherhood.

Knowing the history and significance of this day might help us appreciate it more and find meaningful ways to honour moms. Mother goddesses were worshipped by societies in ancient times, whence the idea of honouring mothers originated, according to VS Daily.

While the Romans observed Hilaria, a spring festival honouring the mother goddess Cybele, the Greeks also honoured Cybele, the mother of all gods, with celebrations.

Nonetheless, the United States' celebration of Mother's Day as we know it now dates back to the early 20th century.

Anna Jarvis was the driving force behind the creation of the present Mother's Day, having started the celebration in 1908 as a tribute to her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis.

After treating injured troops during the American Civil War, Ann became a campaigner for peace and later fought to advance public health. Anna started a campaign for a national holiday honouring moms because she wanted to pay tribute to her mother's selfless contributions.

Moreover, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be Mother's Day in 1914, officially establishing the holiday after years of campaigning by Anna Jarvis.

Mother's Day has been observed yearly to honour and show gratitude to mothers for their unwavering love, selflessness, and commitment ever since.