Mother's Day 2026 celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May in the United States, this day honors mothers and mother figures with traditions like brunch, flowers and gifts.  Many retailers and restaurants offer special promotions and last-minute delivery options for the holiday. 

Established in the United States in 1914 to honor individual mothers it was derived from "Mothering Sunday" in the UK and activism for peace by women like Julia Ward Howe.

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe wrote the "Mother's Day Proclamation" a call to action for women to unite for world peace.

Anna Reeves Jarvis is recognized as the founder of the modern Mother's day in the United States, seeeking to honor her own mother's wish for a day recognizing mothers' contributions to our lives. In 1908, Jarvis held the first official Mother's Day at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Anna's mother, who created "Mother's Day Work Clubs" to improve sanitation and care for children and later promoted "Mother's Friendship Day" to unite families divided by the Civil War. 

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

Maternal Admiration

by

William-Adolphe Bouguereau