Mother’s Day Fun Facts

Here are fun facts about Mother’s Day:

1. Mother’s Day Has Ancient Roots: The earliest history of Mother’s Day dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where festivals were held in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. However, these ancient celebrations were more about worshiping maternal goddesses than the mothers we know today.

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2. Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation: In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, better known for writing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," issued a "Mother’s Day Proclamation." This was a call to mothers to unite for peace and to oppose wars. She tried to initiate a Mother’s Peace Day observed on June 2nd.

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3. The Official Flower of Mother’s Day: The official flower of Mother’s Day is the carnation. Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day in the United States, chose this flower because it was her mother’s favorite. She intended for people to wear a carnation as a badge on Mother’s Day to honor their mothers—red if your mother is living, and white if she has passed away.

4. It Officially Became a Holiday in 1914 in the U.S.: After years of campaigning by Anna Jarvis, President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in 1914. The day was to be observed nationwide as a day to honor mothers and motherhood.

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." Cardinal Mermillod

5. Mother’s Day Around the World: While many countries celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, it is not a universal date. For instance, the United Kingdom celebrates Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday, on the fourth Sunday of Lent, and it originally had religious connections with returning to the ‘mother church’ rather than motherhood itself. Meanwhile, in Thailand, Mother’s Day is celebrated on August 12th, the birthday of the current Queen Mother, Sirikit. In Ethiopia, Mother’s Day is celebrated at the end of the rainy season, as part of the three-day Antrosht festival, when families gather and enjoy a large feast and stories or songs about family.

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6. A Big Day for Phone Calls: Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for phone calls in the United States, with phone traffic spiking by as much as 37 percent. It’s a day when children across the country reach out to their mothers and other mother figures to express their appreciation and love.

"Mothers are like glue. Even when you can't see them, they're still holding the family together." Susan Gale

7. Economic Impact: Mother’s Day sees Americans spend billions, making it one of the highest spending holidays. It’s a major boon for retailers, especially those in jewelry, electronics, and floral sectors.

8. Mother’s Day Leads to Record Flower Sales: In addition to being the busiest day for phone calls, Mother’s Day ranks among the top holidays for sending flowers. It’s second only to Christmas/Chanukah in floral sales. This tradition highlights the widespread custom of giving flowers, especially carnations and roses, to honor one’s mother.