In the United States and many other countries it is Mother's Day today - the second Sunday in May. In the US it was started by a Philadelphia schoolteacher called Anna M. Jarvis in 1907, when she began a movement to set up a national Mother's Day in honor of her mother. Anna's mother, had been instrumental in developing "Mothers Friendship Day" which was set up to assist in the healing process after the Civil War. Miss Jarvis wanted to set aside a day to honor all mothers, living and dead. She and her supporters began to write to ministers, evangelists, businessmen, and politicians in their crusade to establish a national Mother's Day. It is celebrated on this day in Canada and Australia.
In the United States, Mother's Day remains one of the biggest days for sales of flowers, greeting cards, and the like, it is also the biggest holiday for dining out and for long-distance telephone calls.

The United Kingdom celebrates Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday in Lent (30 March 2025). In the United Kingdom, the holiday has its roots in the religious Mothering Sunday celebration which began in the Middle Ages. The date of Mother’s Day in the UK and Ireland can greatly vary, although it is always in March - this year, for example, it was celebrated on 10th March and next year, it will be held on 30th March.

Israel used to celebrate Mother's Day on 30 Shevat of the Jewish calendar, the date that Henrietta Szold died (13 February 1945), which falls between 30th January and 1st March.  Henrietta had no biological children, but her organization Youth Aliyah rescued many Jewish children from Nazi Germany and provided for them, and she also championed children's rights. Szold is considered the "mother" of all those children, and that is why her annual remembrance day was set as Mother's Day.  The holiday has evolved over time, becoming a celebration of mutual love inside the family, called Family Day. This holiday is mainly celebrated in preschools with an activity to which parents are invited. Mother's Day is mainly celebrated by children at kindergartens. 

Wherever you are, don't forget to appreciate your mother and all that she has done for you!

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