When is Mother’s Day in the United States, and why isn’t it celebrated on May 10?
It's not the same day everywhere! Check out when Mother's Day is in the United States and other countries around the world
Mother’s Day is a date that is celebrated in several countries around the world; it is a day to honor mom, recognize her work, and thank her for all the love she has given us. But did you know that this important holiday is not celebrated on the same day everywhere? Each country celebrates it on a different date. Here’s when Mother’s Day is celebrated in the United States and why that date was chosen.
When is Mother’s Day in the United States?
In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, so the celebration always falls on a different day. In 2025, Mother’s Day will be on Sunday, May 11.
READ ALSO Where will there be Mother’s Day food deals? We’ll tell you
Why isn’t Mother’s Day celebrated on May 10 in the U.S.?
In the United States, the origin of Mother’s Day dates back to 1865, in a context marked by the aftermath of the Civil War. It was then that activist Ann Maria Reeves began organizing gatherings called Mother’s Day Meetings, where women shared their experiences and reflected together. Among these groups was Julia Ward Howe, who would later become a prominent feminist figure, as well as a writer and activist.
In 1870, moved by the horrors of war and in solidarity with the victims of the Franco-Prussian conflict, Ward Howe issued a call to women around the world to promote peace. She did so through the Mother’s Day Proclamation, a poem that urged peaceful action and female unity.
Later, in 1907, following the death of a group member’s mother, the women’s group proposed that the second Sunday in May be dedicated to honoring mothers. This request was accepted, and in 1914, under President Woodrow Wilson, Mother’s Day was officially established and has been celebrated on that date every year since.
When is Mother’s Day celebrated in other countries?
Each country has adopted a different date to celebrate this day, based on its own traditions and history. Here’s when Mother’s Day is celebrated in various parts of the world:
- First Sunday of May: Spain.
- Second Sunday of May: Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, United States, Canada, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Colombia.
- May 10: Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
- May 15: Paraguay (Independence Day).
- May 27: Bolivia (in commemoration of the Heroines of the Coronilla).
- May 30: Nicaragua.
- Last Sunday of May: Norte de Santander, Dominican Republic.
- August 15: Costa Rica (Assumption Day).
- Third Sunday of October: Argentina.
- December 8: Panama (Immaculate Conception Day).
READ ALSO Krispy Kreme launches new Mother’s Day doughnut collection! This includes
How is Mother’s Day celebrated in the United States?
Mother’s Day has become one of the most commercially successful celebrations in the United States. This date represents roughly half of the annual revenue for the flower and greeting card industries, which experience high demand during this period.
It is traditional for children to give their mothers flowers, cards, sweets, and other gifts. Many choose to honor their moms by preparing special meals and giving them a well-deserved break from household chores. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, it is also common for students to make crafts or small gifts at school to give to their mothers.
Some families take the opportunity to enjoy an outing or dine out. In fact, the National Restaurant Association notes that Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants in the United States.
