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Table of Contents
Mother’s Day is a modern celebration that started in North America to honor one’s own mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in various parts of the world, but usually falls in March or May.
See the fact file below for more information on the Mother’s Day or alternatively, you can download our 19-page Mother’s Day worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ANCIENT ORIGINS
- Festivals honouring mothers can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans as they celebrated mother goddesses Cybele, Rhea, and Hilaria.
- For centuries, Christians celebrated Mothering Sunday, while the Hindus revered Mata Tirtha Aunsi, which means Mother Pilgrimage of Fortnight.
- Christians in England traditionally celebrated Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This was the time of the year for families to visit their mother church or cathedral church. Mothering Sunday also came to be known as Refreshment Sunday. Aside from visiting churches, Christians also associate this day to Simnel cake, a two layer fruit cake topped with 11 balls of marzipan icing signifying the disciples of Christ (excluding Judas).
- Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
John 6:10-12
MODERN ORIGIN AND CELEBRATION
- The United States celebration of Mother’s Day dates back to the 19th century. Julia Ward Howe was the first person to suggest the observance of a Mother’s Day in 1872. The day was dedicated to peace. She held an annual meeting for several years in the city of Boston, Massachusetts for this observance.
- Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870 as a call for mothers to promote world peace. After three years, she campaigned for the observance of Mother’s Peace Day.
- In 1887, Mary Towles Sasseen, a Kentucky school teacher, began conducting Mother’s Day celebrations and in 1904, Frank E. Hering of South Bend, Indiana began a campaign for the observance of Mother’s Day. However, it wasn’t until Anna Jarvis, of West Virginia, began a nationwide campaign for its observance that the idea took root.
- Woodrow Wilson signed a joint resolution of Congress recommending the observance of Mother’s Day by executive branches of the government on May 9, 1914. The following year, Mother’s Day was designated an annual national observance.
- Mother’s Day is a day set aside to express love, respect and thanks to mothers. The day is observed by giving gifts, visiting, or taking mothers out for dinner and celebrations.
- Many other countries of the world celebrate their own Mother’s Day at different times throughout the year. Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, as in the U.S.
- In Thailand, Mother’s Day is celebrated in August coinciding the birthday of their current queen, Sirikit.
- In Ethiopia, this day is celebrated with large feasting and singing as part of Antrost, a festival honouring motherhood.
- In Brazil, Mother’s Day is the second most commercialized holiday, followed by Christmas. Communal church gathering and feasting is traditionally done during this day.
- In Germany, Muttertag usually takes place every Second Sunday in May unless it falls on Pentecost. Giving of Mother’s Day cards is the most popular gesture on this day.
- Australians traditionally give carnations, chrysanthemums, and other flowers on Mother’s Day.
- Napoleon Bonaparte originally declared Fete des Meres as a holiday in France, but was only made official in 1950.
- In Serbia, Mother’s Day is celebrated in December, along with Father’s Day and Children’s Day.
Mother’s Day Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Mother’s Day across 19 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Mother’s Day worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Mother’s Day which is a modern celebration that started in North America to honor one’s own mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in various parts of the world, but usually falls in March or May.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Mother’s Day Facts
- A Letter to Mom
- For Mother’s Day
- Second Week of May
- Worldwide Celebration
- All About Mom
- A Haiku for You
- Picking Flowers
- Sending My Love
- A Little Gift
- Our Own Mother’s Day
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Mother’s Day start?
Anna Jarvis is responsible for Mother’s Day. After her mother died in 1905, Anna wanted to celebrate all mothers and their sacrifices.
What does Mother’s Day mean?
Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate mothers and all they do for us. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, but most commonly in March or May.
What flower symbolizes Mother’s Day?
Carnations are a traditional gift for Mother’s Day in many cultures. They represent the deep and enduring love that mothers have for their children.
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Link will appear as Mother’s Day Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 27, 2023
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.