Mother's Day Around the World

Many countries have special days to honor mothers. Some celebrate on May 10th or on the second Sunday in May and others have Mother's Day celebrations scattered throughout the year.

Believe it or not, getting official recognition of Mother's Day as a holiday was not a quick or easy process. The United States proclamed Mother's Day an official holiday in 1914 after more than a century of women meeting locally to promote the idea.

The trilingual Swiss began celebrating Muttertag, La Festa della Mamma or Fête des Mères, Mother's Day, in 1917. Whether the idea was adopted because Swiss chocolates are so good will never be known, but Switzerland was one of the first European countries to adopt the celebration. In Switzerland and many otehr countries, including the United States, Mother's Day is always the second Sunday in May.  The date for the festivities this year will be May 8, 2005.

Sometimes Mother's Day is confused with the English holiday called Mothering Sunday. Traditionally, this holiday falls on the fourth Sunday in Lent. But Mother's Day is now observed in England as well, and the traditions associated with Mothering Sunday have been largely replaced by modern Mother's Day celebrations.

In Mexico and South America, Mother's Day is always celebrated on May 10. Mother's Day is the largest card-sending occasion for Hispanics beating out both Christmas and Valentine's Day!

There is no fixed date for "Antrosht" or Mother's Day in Ethiopia because it occurs whenever the rainy season ends (October-November). Girls and boys come from all over to visit their parents, bringing the necessary ingredients for a meat hash, which their mothers prepare. The mother and girls anoint themselves with butter, and songs celebrating family and tribal heroes are sung. The entire festival lasts two to three days.

Children's Day in Yugoslavia (December – three weeks before Christmas):
On a Sunday in early December known as Dechiyi Dan or Children's Day, parents in Yugoslavia tie up their children and refuse to release them until they are good. On the following Sunday, known as "Materitse," "Materice," or Mother's Day, the children tie up their mother, releasing her only when she has paid them with sweets or other goodies. On the third Sunday known as "Ochichi," "Ocevi," or Father's Day, the children try to tie their father to a bed or chair. To be released, the father must promise coats, shoes or other more expensive items. These promises usually appear a short time later as Christmas gifts.


Countries that celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May
Australia
Austria - Muttertag
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany - Muttertag
Italy - La Festa della Mamma
Japan
Switzerland
Turkey
United States

Countries that celebrate Mother's Day on May 10:
Bahrain
Hong Kong
India
Malaysia
Mexico - Día de las Madres
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
United Arab Emirates

Other Dates:
Argentina – Second Sunday in October
England – Last Sunday in Lent
Ethiopia – Antrosht - End of the rainy season
France – Last Sunday in May
Lebanon – First day of Spring
Norway – Second Sunday in February
South Africa – First Sunday in May
Spain and Portugal – December 8, the Virgin Mary's Day as well as a day to honor mothers
Sweden – Last Sunday in May
Yugoslavia, specifically the Serbians – Sunday, two weeks before Christmas

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Source...
Hallmark Cards

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