What is the history of Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is a holiday that is celebrated in honor of mothers in different parts of the world. Its history stretches back centuries, and its roots are in many cultures and traditions. In this article, we look at the history of Mother’s Day and its evolution to the present day.
Early roots of Mother’s Day
The roots of Mother’s Day can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. In spring, the Greeks celebrated the goddess Rhea, who was the mother of all the gods. The Romans, on the other hand, celebrated the Hilaria festival, which was dedicated to Cybele, the goddess of motherhood and fertility. At these parties, mothers were honored and given gifts.
Christian traditions
In the Middle Ages in Europe, a celebration called “Mothering Sunday” was celebrated, which took place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. In this case, people returned to their home churches, and families gathered together. This day was dedicated to honoring mothers and was often accompanied by the giving of gifts and flowers.
The birth of the modern Mother’s Day
The birth of modern Mother’s Day can be traced back to the 19th century United States. Ann Reeves Jarvis, a social activist, founded “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to help improve health care and hygiene. Her daughter, Anna Jarvis, continued her mother’s work and campaigned to make Mother’s Day official. In 1914, US President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as National Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day in Finland
In Finland, Mother’s Day was celebrated for the first time in 1918. The holiday was brought to Finland by public school teacher and MP Vilho Reima, who got the idea from the United States. In 1927, Mother’s Day became the official flag day, and since then it has been an important holiday in the Finnish calendar.
Celebrating Mother’s Day today
Today Mother’s Day is celebrated in different parts of the world at different times and in different ways. Common customs include pampering mothers, giving gifts and flowers, and family meals together. Mother’s Day is also an opportunity to remember and honor deceased mothers.
