| The Ancient Greek and Roman cultures can be | | | | for a living mother. This though has changed over |
| said to be the originators of the tradition of | | | | the times and now many flowers are accepted as |
| honoring our mothers. The religious festivals and | | | | signifying a tribute to the mother. In 1914, |
| spring were the time when mothers were | | | | President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother's day |
| specifically honored. Coming to the contemporary | | | | a national holiday. In the United States the |
| origination of the mother's day celebration in | | | | traditional way of celebrating this day is to bring |
| present day United States, it was Julia Ward | | | | your mother flowers and take her on a special |
| Howe, author of the words of the Battle Hymn | | | | meal. |
| of the Republic who purported that a day should | | | | The white chrysanthemum in Australia has taken |
| be decided upon to be celebrated as Mother's | | | | the place of the white carnation as it is the most |
| Day. This would be a commemoration to peace | | | | prolific flower in May. In Denmark, Finland, Italy, |
| according to her. | | | | Turkey, Japan, Australia and Belgium, the second |
| However she wasn't taken seriously, but still | | | | Sunday of May is celebrated as Mother's Day |
| continued to hold mother's day meetings in | | | | while some other countries do that on another |
| Massachusetts every year. Finally it was Mrs. | | | | day. Sweden and France celebrate it on the last |
| Anna Jarvis who got the credit of getting | | | | Sunday of May and is more like a family birthday |
| mother's day celebrations formalized in the United | | | | to them. |
| States. Her inspiration was her own mother, who | | | | There is a great connection between Mother's |
| dedicated a lifetime for the upbringing of a family | | | | day and spring for in Lebanon it is celebrated on |
| of eleven children. On the second death | | | | the first day of spring and in South Africa |
| anniversary of her mother, the second Sunday of | | | | mother's day celebrations happen on the first |
| May, she convinced her mother's parish in West | | | | Sunday of May. The festival Durga Puja in honor |
| Virginia for mother's day celebrations. Her | | | | of the divine mother is celebrated as a ten day |
| mother's favorite flower, the white carnation was | | | | elaborate affair in India. In Spain and Portugal |
| used to decorate the church. | | | | mother's day is celebrated on December 8th |
| Since then the white carnation has been a symbol | | | | when they not only honor their own mothers but |
| of a mother who has passed away and a red one | | | | also the Virgin Mary. |