When is Mother's Day 2024? History, Significance, Story and all you need to know about Mother's Day

One's mother plays several crucial roles in a person's life-- from being their primary caregiver to their first teacher, from being their first true friend to a guide for life. And so, in honour and celebration the immense contributions of mothers, motherly bonds and motherhood, every year Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in many countries across the world.On this special day, people express their love, gratitude, and appreciation for their mothers and the mother-figures in their lives for nurturing and supporting them.
This year Mother's Day will be celebrated on May 12, 2024 (Sunday) in India.
Read on to know the history, story and significance of Mother's Day here.
In contemporary times, the Mother’s Day we celebrate today emerged in the early 20th century. It was American social activist, Anna Jarvis who is often credited for starting the practice of celebrating Mother's Day. In fact, she is often referred to as the "Mother of Mother’s Day" for her hard work and efforts to establish this special day in honor of mothers. Anna Jarvis was inspired by her own mother’s hard work and dedication towards community service, and so she was the first woman to publicly advocate for official recognition of Mother’s Day in the United States of America.

In 1908, Anna Jarvis organised the first official celebration of Mother’s Day which was held at a Methodist church in West Virginia. And soon, this trend was caught up and celebrated in other cities. For instance, a year later the city of Philadelphia also observed Mother’s Day. This further encouraged Anna Jarvis to campaign for a national recognition of Mother's Day.
A few years later in 1914, the then President of USA-- Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation that officially designed the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day. This made Mother's Day a national holiday in America. Over the years, this was picked up by many countries across the world, including India, and so since then Mother’s Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday in the month of May in honour of mothers and motherly-figures.
Whatever we are today is because of the selfless love, care, and support of our mothers. However, not many people often genuinely express their love and gratitude to their mothers considering the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And so, Mother's Day is a special occasion when people pause and intentionally take time out to express their love, gratitude, and affection for their mothers and the motherly figures in their lives. It’s a time to recognize and appreciate the countless ways in which mothers nurture, support, guide, and shape the lives of not just their children but also their families.
See more: Happy Mother’s Day 2024: Top 50 Wishes, Messages, Images and Quotes to share with your mother
Beyond honouring one's biological mother, this special day also honours and celebrates motherhood in all its forms, be it stepmothers, grandmothers, adoptive mothers, or mother figures. It is a day to celebrate the maternal bonds that we have our lives, and emphasizes the importance of love, care, and compassion in family relationships.
Mother’s Day is a reminder to cherish, love, and celebrate the maternal figures in our lives.
Mother’s Day is a reminder to cherish, love, and celebrate the maternal figures in our lives.
See more: 75+ Happy Mother's Day Messages, Greetings, Wishes and Quotes for 2024
Heart-warming quotes by famous authors to send on Mother's Day:
1. "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."- Agatha Christie, The Last Séance
2. "Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother’s love is not."- James Joyce, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
3. "To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow."- Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
3. "It's a funny thing about mothers... Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful."- Roald Dahl, Matilda
4. "As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her."- Kristin Hannah, Summer Island
5. "She told me then too how she loved me the second I was born. She said it was like she knew me, even though ti was the first time she'd ever seen me. She said I looked really wise and clever when I came out, like I'd been on earth before and could teach her stuff - it sounded mad. But mainly she just wanted to cuddle and look after me. She said meeting me was the happiest moment of her life. Mum-love is a fact like that - it just happens, whatever you do, you can't do anything about it, like rain."- Katy Regan, Little Big Love
See more: Happy Mother’s Day 2024: 10 perfect gift ideas for moms


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