50 Fun Facts About Mother's Day Quiz

In what year did Mother's Day become an official U.S. federal holiday?

President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914 designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, making it an official national holiday.

Which woman is credited as the founder of the modern Mother's Day holiday in the United States?

Anna Jarvis (daughter of Ann Jarvis) campaigned tirelessly to establish Mother's Day as a national holiday, organizing the first official celebration in 1908.

On which day of the week is Mother's Day always celebrated in the United States?

Mother's Day in the United States is always celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

Which flower did Anna Jarvis choose as the official symbol of Mother's Day?

Anna Jarvis chose the white carnation as the official Mother's Day flower because it was her own mother's favorite flower. She saw its whiteness as symbolizing the purity of a mother's love.

Which U.S. president signed the proclamation making Mother's Day an official holiday?

President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation in 1914 that officially established Mother's Day as a national holiday on the second Sunday of May.

What is the traditional meaning of a white carnation on Mother's Day?

A white carnation traditionally symbolizes remembrance and is worn or given to honor a mother who has passed away, while red or pink carnations honor a living mother.

Approximately how much do Americans spend collectively on Mother's Day each year?

Americans spend approximately $34 billion on Mother's Day gifts and activities annually, making it one of the highest-spending holidays after the winter holiday season.

Where was the first official Mother's Day celebration held in 1908?

The first Mother's Day service of worship and celebration was held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908.

What happened to Anna Jarvis's attitude toward Mother's Day later in her life?

Anna Jarvis grew deeply resentful of the commercialization of Mother's Day and spent much of her later life and personal fortune trying to have the holiday she created abolished or restored to its original sentimental purpose.

Which holiday ranks higher than Mother's Day in total U.S. consumer spending?

After the winter holiday season (Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.), Mother's Day has the highest consumer spending total in the U.S. — even surpassing Valentine's Day.

Which country celebrates Mother's Day on August 12, the birthday of Queen Sirikit?

Thailand moved Mother's Day to August 12 in 1976 to honor the birthday of Queen Sirikit, who is considered the mother of the nation. Children give their mothers jasmine garlands.

What flower do Thai children traditionally give their mothers on Mother's Day?

In Thailand, children give their mothers garlands of jasmine flowers on Mother's Day, as jasmine symbolizes the purity and sweetness of a mother's love.

What is the name of the multi-day Ethiopian celebration that honors motherhood?

Antrosht is a multi-day Ethiopian celebration of motherhood that takes place each fall when the rainy season ends. Families gather to sing songs, dance, and share a large feast.

On which Sunday in May does the U.S. celebrate Mother's Day?

Mother's Day in the United States falls on the second Sunday in May each year, meaning it can land on any date between May 8 and May 14.

What is Mother's Day called in France?

In France, Mother's Day is called "la Fête des Mères" (the Celebration of Mothers). It originated as a celebration of women with many children and is celebrated on the last Sunday in May.

In Mexico, what song do mariachi bands traditionally play for mothers on the morning of Mother's Day?

On the morning of May 10 in Mexico, mothers are often serenaded with "Las Mañanitas," a traditional Mexican birthday and celebration song.

On what fixed date does Mexico celebrate Mother's Day each year?

Unlike the U.S., Mexico celebrates Mother's Day on a fixed date — May 10 — every year, regardless of the day of the week.

What is the British equivalent of Mother's Day called?

In the United Kingdom, the equivalent of Mother's Day is called Mothering Sunday, a Christian tradition celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. It has roots in the Middle Ages when people would return to their "mother church."

During which Christian season does the UK's Mothering Sunday fall?

Mothering Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, making it a moveable feast that falls in March or early April depending on the date of Easter.

What traditional cake is associated with Mothering Sunday in the UK?

Simnel cake, a fruit cake with layers of marzipan, is the traditional cake associated with Mothering Sunday. It traditionally features 11 marzipan balls on top representing the apostles (minus Judas).

Julia Ward Howe's 1870 "Mother's Day Proclamation" was primarily a call for what?

Julia Ward Howe's 1870 Mother's Day Proclamation was a passionate call for peace and disarmament, urging mothers to unite in promoting world peace after the devastation of the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War.

Which ancient civilization held a spring festival honoring Cybele, a mother goddess?

The ancient Romans held a spring festival called Hilaria in honor of Cybele, the mother of the gods. The Greeks similarly celebrated Rhea, the mother of the Olympian gods.

Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for which type of communication?

More phone calls are made on Mother's Day than any other day of the year, with approximately 122 million calls placed in the United States alone.

Where does Mother's Day rank among card-sending holidays in the United States?

Mother's Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday in the United States, after Christmas and Valentine's Day.

In which state was Anna Jarvis born?

Anna Jarvis was born on May 1, 1864, in Webster, West Virginia. She later organized the first official Mother's Day celebration at a church in Grafton, West Virginia.

What did Anna Jarvis specifically insist about the apostrophe in "Mother's Day"?

Anna Jarvis insisted on the singular possessive "Mother's Day" (not "Mothers' Day") because she envisioned it as a personal day for each family to honor their individual mother, not a celebration of all mothers collectively.

Which industry paid for Anna Jarvis's care in a sanitarium at the end of her life?

Ironically, people connected with the floral and greeting card industries — the very businesses Anna Jarvis had fought against for commercializing Mother's Day — paid her sanitarium bills in her final years.

In which month does Russia officially celebrate Mother's Day?

Russia's official Mother's Day falls on the last Sunday of November, making it one of the latest celebrations of motherhood in the calendar year worldwide.

On what date do most Arab countries celebrate Mother's Day?

Most Arab countries celebrate Mother's Day on March 21, which coincides with the spring equinox, symbolizing the beginning of new life and growth.

How many countries around the world now observe some form of Mother's Day?

Mother's Day is now observed in over 100 countries around the world, though it is celebrated on different dates and with varying traditions depending on the country.

What did Anna Jarvis's mother, Ann Jarvis, organize after the Civil War?

After the Civil War, Ann Jarvis organized "Mother's Friendship Day" events to bring together mothers from both Union and Confederate sides, fostering reconciliation in divided communities.

What is the most popular gift given on Mother's Day in the United States?

Greeting cards and flowers are tied as the most popular Mother's Day gifts, with about 74% of people giving each. However, greeting cards edge out slightly as the overall top choice.

How much do Americans spend on flowers alone for Mother's Day each year?

Americans spend approximately $3.2 billion on flowers for Mother's Day each year, making it one of the most lucrative holidays for the floral industry.

For the floral industry, where does Mother's Day rank among holidays for flower sales?

According to the Society of American Florists, Mother's Day is the third most lucrative holiday of the year for florists, after Valentine's Day and Christmas/winter holidays.

Which ancient Greek goddess, considered the mother of the gods, was honored in early spring festivals?

The ancient Greeks honored Rhea, the mother of many of the Olympian gods including Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Spring festivals in her honor are considered early precursors to modern Mother's Day.

What was the name of the Roman festival celebrating the mother goddess Cybele?

Hilaria was a Roman festival celebrated in honor of Cybele, the mother of the gods. Held on the vernal equinox, it was a day of joy and celebrations — the word "hilarity" derives from this festival.

What color carnation traditionally honors a mother who is still living?

A red or pink carnation is traditionally worn or given on Mother's Day to honor a living mother, while a white carnation symbolizes remembrance of a mother who has passed away.

Approximately how many phone calls are made in the U.S. on Mother's Day?

Approximately 122 million phone calls are made in the United States on Mother's Day, making it the single busiest day of the year for phone traffic.

What type of flower do Japanese children traditionally give their mothers on Mother's Day?

In Japan, Mother's Day is celebrated similarly to the United States, and children traditionally give their mothers red carnations as a symbol of love and appreciation.

In several Balkan and Eastern European countries, Mother's Day is celebrated on March 8 alongside which other observance?

In Albania and several other Balkan and Eastern European countries, Mother's Day is celebrated on March 8 in conjunction with International Women's Day.

What happens to the date of the French "Fête des Mères" if the last Sunday of May coincides with Pentecost?

If the last Sunday of May coincides with Pentecost (a moveable Christian feast), France's Fête des Mères is pushed to the first Sunday in June to avoid a scheduling conflict.

Why did France originally establish a national day honoring mothers?

France's Fête des Mères originally began as a celebration of women with many children, driven by concerns about the country's declining birth rate in the early 20th century.

During the Ethiopian Antrosht celebration, what do the daughters traditionally bring to the feast?

During Antrosht, the daughters bring vegetables, spices, and dairy products, while the sons bring lamb or bull meat. The mother uses these ingredients to prepare a special hash for the family feast.

In the original Mothering Sunday tradition, what did "mother" refer to?

In the original medieval tradition, Mothering Sunday was about returning to one's "mother church" — the main parish or cathedral of the area. Over time, it evolved to also honor biological mothers.

What famous song is Julia Ward Howe best known for writing, aside from her Mother's Day Proclamation?

Julia Ward Howe is best known as the author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," the iconic Civil War-era anthem. She later channeled her influence into advocating for peace through her 1870 Mother's Day Proclamation.

What did Anna Jarvis famously do at Wanamaker's department store to protest commercialization?

When Anna Jarvis saw a "Mother's Day Salad" being served at the Tea Room at Wanamaker's department store in Philadelphia, she ordered it, dumped it on the floor, paid for it, and walked out in protest.

Did Anna Jarvis ever have children of her own?

Anna Jarvis never married and never had children of her own. She conceived of Mother's Day as an occasion for honoring the sacrifices individual mothers made — inspired by her own mother's devotion.

By the time Anna Jarvis passed away in 1948, how many countries had adopted Mother's Day?

By Anna Jarvis's death in 1948, Mother's Day had spread to over 40 countries worldwide. Today the number exceeds 100 countries.

Which is the most popular restaurant day of the year in the United States?

Mother's Day is consistently the most popular day of the year for restaurant dining in the United States, with families taking their mothers out for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

What was the name of the church where the first official Mother's Day service was held?

The first Mother's Day service was held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908. The church is now the International Mother's Day Shrine.