Major, Social

Mother's Day

Celebrated on 05/10/2026

Quick Fact

Mother's Day was established by Anna Jarvis in 1908 when she held a memorial for her mother at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Following years of advocacy, the holiday was officially recognized in the United States in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as a national day to honor mothers.

Origins and Establishment of Mother's Day

Mother's Day as we know it was established by Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century. After her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died in 1905, Anna conceived of Mother's Day as a way to honor the sacrifices mothers made for their children. She organized the first official Mother's Day celebration on May 10, 1908, at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, and at a second event in Philadelphia. Her campaign to make Mother's Day a recognized holiday succeeded when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914 designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Mother's Day quickly became a commercial success, with florists, card companies, and candy manufacturers capitalizing on the holiday. Anna Jarvis, who had intended the day to be a personal, heartfelt observance, grew disillusioned with its commercialization and spent her later years actively opposing it. Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, often on different dates. In the United States, it is marked by giving gifts, cards, flowers, and spending time with mothers. It remains one of the most popular holidays for dining out and phone calls.

Facts & General Observations

  • Mother's Day is the third-largest holiday for card giving in the United States, with approximately 113 million cards exchanged annually.
  • The National Restaurant Association reports that Mother's Day is the most popular day of the year for dining out.
  • The average amount spent on Mother's Day gifts in the U.S. has been over $200 per person in recent years.

Active Deals & Discounts

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1-800-Flowers

25% off Mother's Day floral arrangements and gifts

Code: MOM25 Expires: 2026-05-10

Edible Arrangements

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The Cheesecake Factory

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ProFlowers

20% off sitewide for Mother's Day pre-orders

Code: BLOOM20 Expires: 2026-05-10

Zales

Up to 50% off select Mother's Day jewelry styles

Code: No code needed Expires: 2026-05-11

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