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Mother's Day Around the World
Mother's Day originated in Greece and Italy, and has spread to all corners of the globe. Learn more about how Mother's Day is celebrated in various cultures.
Greece
This is where it all began! The Greek goddess of fertility and motherhood was Rhea. Celebrations for Rhea each spring involved lots of flowers, honeyed cakes, delicious wines, and great amorous activities.
Italy
The Romans took on just about all of Greek culture, including the gods and goddesses. Rhea became Cybele, and the celebrations of motherhood continued. Italian wines were very popular during these festivals!
England
The English called this day "Mothering Day". In an age when most servants lived with their masters, Mothering Day let them go home to have a special dinner with their mum. Wildflowers were very popular on this day, as were "Mothering Sunday Buns" with raisins and butter icing. "Carlings" were equally popular - these were steeped peas fried in butter.
France
The French chose to celebrate the entire family on Mother's Day, getting together for a special Mother's Day cake. It was a day of sharing memories, pouring local wines and enjoying the time together.
United States
While the first centuries of the United States saw a squelching of most holidays, Mother's Day came back into being in 1908. It involved white carnations and a celebration of the value of mothers. It quickly grew to involve cards, chocolates, and lots of letters and phone calls.
The History of Mother's Day
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