The Origins of Mother's Day: A Look Back in Time

Mother's Day is a beloved holiday celebrated around the world. It’s important that we take the time to acknowledge and show gratitude to the mother figures that make the world go round! 

But where did it all begin? The history of Mother's Day is a tale involving ancient traditions, religious customs, and the efforts of dedicated activists. Let’s explore the origins of this special holiday and the people who made it possible.

The early beginnings of Mother's Day

The origins of Mother's Day can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where festivals were held to honor fertility and “mother” goddesses. In the 1600s, the Christian church began celebrating Mothering Sunday, a day to honor the Virgin Mary and mothers.  However, the modern version of Mother's Day started in the United States in the early 1900s, thanks to the efforts of Anna Jarvis. After her mother's death, Jarvis campaigned for a national holiday to honor mothers, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother's Day an official holiday.

Anna Jarvis played a crucial role in establishing Mother's Day as a national holiday in the United States. After her mother's death, Jarvis began campaigning for a day to honor all mothers. She wrote letters to politicians, business leaders, and other influential figures and even started a petition to make Mother's Day a national holiday. Her efforts paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother's Day an official holiday. 

The global celebration of Mother's Day and its cultural significance

Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, although the date and customs vary from place to place. In the United States, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, while in the United Kingdom, it falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent. In some countries, Mother's Day is a public holiday, while in others, it is a more low-key affair. Despite these differences, the underlying sentiment of Mother's Day remains the same- to honor and appreciate the mothers and mother figures in our lives.

The evolution and the future of Mother's Day

Mother's Day is continuously evolving and adapting to changing times. While the holiday has traditionally focused on celebrating biological mothers, there is a growing recognition of the many different types of mother figures in our lives, including stepmothers, grandmothers, and foster mothers. There’s also a growing emphasis on using Mother's Day as a platform to advocate for maternal health and well-being around the world. We at Juno, hope to progress the conversation around maternal health by highlighting the importance of prenatal care for all.