This Sunday is Mother’s Day. I almost forgot. When is Mother’s Day in your country? Do you know the origin of Mother’s Day?
In America and Japan, Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May. But I think some countries are different.
Let’s talk about the origin of Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day was originally an idea of Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis. She was a social activist and started “Mother’s Day Work Clubs.” And her daughter, Anna Maria Jarvis, founded “Mother’s Day.” In 1914, as an official holiday, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday of May.
Nowadays, people give different gifts for Mother’s Day. For example, jewelry, chocolates, flowers, etc. When I was a kid, Mother’s Day was all about red or pink carnations. I didn’t know why. Later, I found out that the carnation was Ann Reeves Jarvis’s favorite flower.
By the way, the history of Father’s Day is somewhat interesting. The founder is Sonora Smart Dodd. She lost her mom at 16, and her dad raised the other six children. To honor her dad, William Jackson Smart, who was a Civil War veteran and a single parent, the first celebration took place in 1910. Over 60 years later, President Richard Nixon signed a public law, and the third Sunday of June became a national holiday in 1972.
In Japan, Father’s Day is the same as in America. In Taiwan and Thailand, Father’s Day is observed on August 8 and on December 5.
My kids asked me what I wanted. I don’t want anything. The best gift is keeping a clean house. 😅
Photo by Pixabay
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