Back in the 1600s, Mothering Sunday was celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honour of Virgin Mary. Servants, apprentices and other employees living away from their homes were encouraged by employers to visit their mothers and bring them gifts such as fruit cake or flowers.
Another story is that it originated in Boston. Here, writer and feminist Julia Ward Howe wrote an appeal for women to unite for peace in the world entitled “Appeal to Womanhood”. In 1872, Howe asked for the celebration of a "Mother's Day for Peace" on 2 June of every year, but she was unsuccessful. In fact, the modern day Mother’s Day was established by Anna Jarvis years later, when she held a memorial ceremony to honour her late mother and all mothers at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in West Virginia. In 1914, inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts in the United States, Constance Penswick-Smith created the Mothering Sunday Movement in the UK and in 1921 she wrote a book asking for the revival of the festival. By the 50s, Mothering Sunday was celebrated across all the UK.
Some facts at a glance
- Flowers are still the favourite Mother's Day gift - particularly roses
- In America, Mother-in-Law Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in October
- Research has found that men spend over £12 more on Mother's Day than women