Mother's Day History
Mother’s Day originated as a holiday in this nation.
What is the United States? The holiday has now spread across the globe into unique celebrations.
This animated TV mom is the wife of Fred, mom of Pebbles, and best friend to Betty.
Who is Wilma Flintstone? The writers based her character on another TV wife, Alice Kramden of The Honeymooners.
One of her most popular songs is “Coat of Many Colors,” about a loving mother sewing a coat from a box of rags.
Who is Dolly Parton? She has said that her mother really did make her a rag coat that she wore to school as a child.
Carnations in these two colors are traditionally the best-selling flowers on Mother’s Day.
What are red and white? Originally, white carnations were in remembrance of mothers, while red ones were given to mothers.
“Across the pond” in this nation, Mothering Sunday is observed by visiting family and is sometimes observed on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
What is England? The traditional date has been largely replaced by the Americanized Mother’s Day, and celebrations include eating simnel cakes.
During the 1870s, activist Julia Ward Howe called for a day for mothers and peace, following the horrors of this war.
What is the Civil War? Howe began an early predecessor of Mother’s Day, called “Mother’s Day for Peace,” observed in June.
To quote this beloved TV mom: “I’m just like any modern woman trying to have it all: loving husband, a family... It’s just, I wish I had more time to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade.”
Who is Morticia Addams? Originally portrayed by Carolyn Jones, this matriarch has also been played by Anjelica Huston, Daryl Hannah, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Paul devoted this Beatles tune to his mother, Mary McCartney.
What is “Let it Be”? His mother, a nurse, passed away when he was 14, but she has continued to be an inspiration to him throughout his life.
In addition to flowers, Time magazine says these were the most popular Mother’s Day purchase in 2025.
What are greeting cards? According to their statistics, 74% percent of those surveyed bought a greeting card for Mother’s Day.
In this North American nation, Mother’s Day celebrations can include mariachi bands performing tunes.
What is Mexico? The nation has observed Mother’s Day since 1922, when Rafael Alducin organized the first celebration.
Anna Jarvis later established a special holiday, honoring this person.
Who is her mother? Anna Jarvis established the white carnation as the symbol for the holiday.
This TV mom was the first to portray pregnancy openly on-screen, mirroring her real-life pregnancy with Desi Arnaz.
Who is Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball)? She and husband Desi Arnaz fought to portray her pregnancy on-screen rather than hide her belly behind props.
In 1961, this foursome sang about what “Mama Said,” telling us “Mama said there’ll be days like this.”
Who are the Shirelles? The song was one of their biggest hits and reached number four on the Billboard charts.
In 2025, a survey of moms found that most mothers wanted help with these kinds of tasks instead of a Mother’s Day gift.
What is household tasks/chores? The Food 52 survey found that most moms wanted help with concrete tasks like housework or walking the dog.
This Asian island nation celebrated its first Mother’s Day in 1931 on the birthday of Empress Kojun.
What is Japan? Now celebrated in May, Japanese Mother’s Day includes gifting red carnations and enjoying egg dishes.
This was the month chosen for the official Mother’s Day.
What is May? It was chosen to honor the passing of Anna Jarvis’ mother, Ann, who had created a mother’s group to improve her community.
Also called Mrs. C, she is the loving mom remembered by fans of Happy Days.
Who is Marion Cunningham? Played by Marion Ross, Mrs. C was known to give sage advice to her husband and children.
This singer’s 1970 tune “Mama Liked the Roses” was released as the B-side to “The Wonder of You.”
Who is Elvis Presley? The song is about mothers who can’t spend the holidays with their children.
In recent years, most shoppers turn here for their Mother’s Day gifts, a convenient and modern option.
What is the internet (online shopping)? The National Retail Federation surveys consumers annually and has seen a trend toward online gift buying for moms.
Mother’s Day celebrations in this European nation began in the Rhone region in 1906.
What is France? After World War I, the government began awarding medals to mothers of large families in gratitude.
In 1914, a proclamation by this president established the first national Mother’s Day.
Who is Woodrow Wilson? The proclamation came shortly before the start of World War I.
She is the family matriarch in the TV show Little House on the Prairie, based on a real-life story.
Who is Caroline Ingalls? The show is based on the writing of Laura Ingalls Wilder, about her real family and their prairie life.
This singer-songwriter’s “Where You Lead” became the theme song to Gilmore Girls, a show about motherhood.
Who is Carole King? Originally a romantic love song, “Where You Lead” was reworked years later to be about mothers and daughters.
Instead of a bouquet, French mothers are sometimes gifted this confection in the shape of a flower.
What is a cake? Modern pâtisseries (French bakeries specializing in pastries and cakes) often create elaborate cakes featuring floral motifs, bouquet shapes, or delicate seasonal decorations for the holiday.
In this “down under” nation, mothers are celebrated with gifts of flowers.
What is Australia? The flower of choice is the chrysanthemum, a play on the Australian word mum used for mothers.