Mother's Day: History, Curiosities and Meaning
5th March 2025
The truths that matter, the great principles, in the end, always remain two or three. They are the ones your mother taught you as a child.
- Enzo Biagi -
The present-day celebration of Mother's Day has ancient roots. It dates back to the Greco-Roman world: at that time, mothers were celebrated during the festivals linked to female deities in which fertility was celebrated. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the celebration remained but changed in a religious form, linked to the maternity of Holy Mary.
In the mid-1800s, Ann Reeves Jarvis initiated Mothers’ Day Work Clubs to combat infant mortality from disease and contaminated milk and to subsequently educate families on proper precautions, such as boiling water. After the American Civil War, which lasted four years from 1861 to 1865, Ann Reeves Jarvis began organising Mothers’ Friendship Days to promote reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans and their families. Three years after her death, the daughter organised a commemorative day in May for all the mothers and that’s the main event remembered today for this celebration.
Unfortunately, Mother's Day has also been exploited for other purposes. For example, in Italy during Fascism, on December 24th it was celebrated as "Mother and Child Day" with the purpose of propaganda and exaltation of the fertile and child-bearing woman.
Nowadays, Mother's Day is a celebration observed in many parts of the world to show respect, honour, and love for mothers. It is a day dedicated to recognising the contributions of mothers, appreciating the strength of maternal bonds, and acknowledging the vital role they play in society. While the date of celebration varies across countries, the most common months for it are March and May.
In the Balkan countries (Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania) mothers are celebrated on March 8th, coinciding with Women's Day. In Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Lithuania it is a holiday on the first Sunday in May. In many Arab countries, however, the celebrations correspond to the day of the spring equinox (March 20). Finally, in France, Sweden, Morocco, Cameroon mothers are celebrated on the last Sunday of May.
Started in November 2023, Mother Matters project aims to promote the mental well-being of new and expectant mothers with and without disabilities, with a special focus on inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. Through innovative tools, awareness campaigns, and collaboration with professionals, the project supports women during one of the most transformative — and sometimes vulnerable — times of their lives.
