Why is May 8th Mother's Day?

May 8 is Mother's Day, an occasion for millions of people around the world to remember their mothers for giving birth, raising them, supporting them and encouraging them.

Mother's Day is celebrated on many different days around the world, but the two most common days are the second Sunday of May in the American tradition of Mother's Day, followed by the fourth Sunday of Lent in the United Kingdom's tradition of Mothering Sunday.

History of Mother's Day

According to Nguoi Dua Tin, Mother's Day originated in the Greek and Roman period. The festival to honor mothers was held annually in the spring and the Greeks at that time often worshiped goddesses, especially the goddess Rhea - Mother of many gods in Greek mythology.

However, the pioneers in forming and initiating "Mother's Day" were two American women, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis and her daughter, Anna Marie Jarvis.

Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in more than 65 countries around the world (although on different dates). It is also an occasion for millions of people around the world to remember their mothers for giving birth to them, raising them, and for their constant support and encouragement.

100 years ago, Mrs. Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis - a woman in West Virginia, USA, founded a group called "Mother's Day" with the sole desire to reconnect family ties that had been torn apart by the Civil War. After her group was founded, she wanted to organize an annual anniversary to remember the memories of mothers, but unfortunately, she died before making this wish come true.

As a dutiful daughter, Anna Jarvis – daughter of Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis never forgot her mother's wishes, coupled with her dissatisfaction with the indifferent attitude of the American people towards her mother, so when her mother passed away in 1905, she devoted herself to fulfilling her mother's wish to have a Mother's Day.

After much effort, she organized the first official Mother's Day celebration at Andrews Methodist Church in 1908. Along with Anna Jarvis's own celebration, families gathered at many of the event's venues in Jarvis' hometown of Grafton, West Virginia, and many other cities.

In 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in most states of the United States. And on May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

The Meaning of Mother's Day

For Anna Jarvis, “Mother’s Day” is a day when everyone should go home to their mother and thank her for everything she has done for them. And that, it is not a day to celebrate all mothers, but a day to thank the best woman you have, your mother. That is why Jarvis emphasized the singular noun “Mother’s Day” and not “Mothers’ Day”.

Nowadays, “Mother’s Day” is spreading all over the world. On this day, children will be grateful to their mothers by expressing their feelings through wishes, gifts, whether material or spiritual, expressing the desire for their mothers to be happy and joyful.

Mother's Day in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the introduction of Western culture has also brought Mother's Day into the country. Besides March 8 or October 20, Vu Lan Festival, Mother's Day is also celebrated by everyone. On this day, grateful children will give their mothers meaningful gifts, from material to spiritual.

Although “Mother’s Day” in Vietnam does not have a long history like in the US and UK, many people still send meaningful gifts to their mothers. Flower telegrams and homemade postcards are also eagerly prepared by young people to welcome the special day dedicated to their mothers.

According to DSPL.vn