💐 Mother's Day Countdown
May 10, 2026
About Mother's Day
Mother's Day in the United States is observed on the second Sunday of May, honoring mothers and the role of motherhood in families and society. The modern American holiday was founded by Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, who organized the first official Mother's Day service on May 10, 1908 in memory of her own mother, Ann Jarvis — a community organizer who had worked to improve sanitary conditions during the Civil War. Anna Jarvis campaigned for years to make it a national holiday, and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Tragically, Jarvis spent the rest of her life fighting against the commercialization of the holiday she had created, protesting that cards, candy, and flowers missed the personal sincerity she had intended.
Mother's Day Traditions
Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants — more meals are eaten out on Mother's Day than on any other day, including Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve. Flowers are the most popular gift, with about 25% of all flowers sold in the US purchased around Mother's Day. Phone traffic on Mother's Day exceeds any other day of the year. Cards, breakfast in bed, jewelry, spa experiences, and sentimental gifts are all common. Americans spend approximately $35 billion on Mother's Day annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mother's Day the same date worldwide?
No. While the US, Canada, Australia, and many other countries observe it on the second Sunday of May, the UK and Ireland celebrate Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent (a different date each year), and other countries have their own dates.