International Mother's Day 2023: Why and how the celebration of International Mother's Day started, know the history and importance

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The celebration of International Mother's Day has its roots in the early 20th century and has since become a global occasion to honor and appreciate mothers worldwide. Here's a brief history and importance of International Mother's Day:

History:

  • The modern celebration of Mother's Day can be traced back to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, who wanted to honor her own mother's dedication to the well-being of her family.
  • Anna Jarvis's mother, Ann Jarvis, was a peace activist and had organized Mother's Friendship Day during the American Civil War. This event brought together mothers from both sides of the conflict to promote reconciliation and peace.
  • After Ann Jarvis's passing in 1905, Anna Jarvis wanted to create a day to honor all mothers and their contributions to society.
  • Anna Jarvis campaigned tirelessly to establish a national holiday for Mother's Day in the United States. Her efforts bore fruit when President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day in 1914.

Importance:

  1. Honoring Mothers: International Mother's Day provides an opportunity to honor and express gratitude towards mothers for their selfless love, sacrifices, and tireless efforts in raising children and nurturing families.
  2. Recognizing Maternal Influence: Mother's Day highlights the crucial role that mothers play in shaping the lives of their children and the positive impact they have on society as a whole.
  3. Strengthening Bonds: Mother's Day serves as a reminder to spend quality time with mothers, appreciate their presence, and strengthen the bond between children and their mothers.
  4. Appreciating Caregivers: Mother's Day extends beyond biological mothers and also recognizes the role of other caregivers, such as grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and adoptive mothers, who provide love, support, and care to children.
  5. Promoting Love and Affection: Mother's Day encourages people to express their love, gratitude, and affection towards their mothers through various gestures, such as gifts, cards, acts of service, and quality time spent together.
  6. Reflecting on Motherhood: It is a day to reflect on the challenges and joys of motherhood and to acknowledge the efforts mothers put into nurturing and raising their children.
  7. Global Celebration: Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, fostering a sense of unity and shared appreciation for mothers across different cultures and societies.

It's important to note that the commercialization of Mother's Day has been a point of concern for some, as the original intention was to emphasize heartfelt appreciation rather than materialistic gifts. Nonetheless, the essence of the celebration remains centered on expressing love, gratitude, and respect for mothers and mother figures.

Remember, Mother's Day is not limited to a single day but can be celebrated throughout the year by showing appreciation, love, and support to mothers in our lives.