The History of Mother’s Day

Every second Sunday in May, millions pause to celebrate the incredible women who raised them.

But Mother’s Day, as we know it today, has roots that run deep through history.

Where it began

Humans have, for centuries, honoured mothers and a womans ability to carry and give life.

The ancient Greeks honoured Rhea, the mother of the gods, while Romans celebrated Cybell during Spring festivals.

In 16th-century England, “Mothering Sunday” allowed families to reunite for church services and home-cooked meals.

A Modern Mothers Day

The modern version of Mother’s Day began in the United States of America,when Anna Jarvis lobbied for a national holiday after her own mother’s death in 1905.

Jarvis saw it as a deeply personal day, celebrated with white carnations, that her mother had loved, and handwritten letters.

In 1914,nine years later, President Woodrow Wilson finally declared it a national holiday.

Mother’s day in South Africa

In South Africa, Mother’s Day is celebrated with similar warmth and gratitude.

Families often come together for a shared meal, either at home or at a restaurant and the children present their mothers with flowers,cards and small gifts.

Schools and churches hold special events, with children performing poems or songs in honour of their mothers. Shopping malls and individual stores decorated with pink and purple decor, often highlight the gifts mom will enjoy the most.

While the ways we celebrate may differ across cultures, the heart of Mother’s Day remains universal ….

A moment to honour the love, sacrifice, and quiet strength of mothers everywhere.

So this May, whether with a hug, a home-cooked meal, or a simple thank-you, celebrate the mothers in your life.

They truly deserve it.