Every year, as Mother’s Day approaches, I think about the countless ways moms around the world are celebrated. Growing up, my family had a simple tradition—breakfast in bed for Mom, complete with slightly burnt toast and flowers we picked ourselves. But beyond our home, I’ve learned that Mother’s Day is woven into cultures everywhere, each with its own beautiful traditions. In Japan, they give red carnations; in Mexico, they sing heartfelt songs. It’s a day to honor the women who shape our lives, reminding us that, no matter where we are, love and gratitude for mothers is universal.
1. When is Mother’s Day celebrated in the United States?
The second Sunday in May
2. Who is credited with founding Mother’s Day in the U.S.?
Anna Jarvis
3. In which year was the first official Mother’s Day celebrated in the U.S.?
1908
4. What flower is traditionally associated with Mother’s Day?
Carnation
5. In which country did Mother’s Day originate?
The United Kingdom (Mothering Sunday)
6. Which U.S. President officially declared Mother’s Day a national holiday?
President Woodrow Wilson
7. In which month is Mother’s Day celebrated in the United Kingdom?
March
8. What color carnation is traditionally worn to honor a deceased mother?
White
9. What color carnation is traditionally worn to honor a living mother?
Red or pink
10. In which country is Mother’s Day known as “La Festa della Mamma”?
Italy
11. What day is Mother’s Day celebrated in Mexico?
May 10
12. Which ancient civilization celebrated a festival to honor the mother goddess Cybele?
Ancient Greeks
13. Which popular Mother’s Day gift symbolizes gratitude and love?
Flowers
14. What is the estimated amount Americans spend on Mother’s Day each year?
Around $25 billion
15. In which country is Mother’s Day celebrated with chrysanthemum flowers?
Australia
16. What popular American department store was founded by the “mother of Mother’s Day,” Anna Jarvis?
None; Anna Jarvis did not found a department store.
17. Which historical event inspired the celebration of Mother’s Day in the United States?
The Civil War (Anna Jarvis’ mother was a peace activist)
18. How is Mother’s Day celebrated in Japan?
By giving red carnations
19. In which European country is Mother’s Day celebrated in October?
Malta
20. In which month is Mother’s Day celebrated in Thailand?
August
21. Who was the Greek goddess of motherhood?
Rhea
22. In which country is Mother’s Day celebrated as “Mother’s Peace Day”?
The United States (initially)
23. What flower is given on Mother’s Day in France?
Roses
24. What day is Mother’s Day celebrated in Ethiopia?
During the Antrosht festival in fall
25. In ancient Rome, which goddess associated with fertility was celebrated?
Cybele
26. What color is commonly associated with Mother’s Day celebrations in Japan?
Red
27. In what year did Mother’s Day become a national holiday in the U.S.?
1914
28. Which gift has become increasingly popular for Mother’s Day?
Spa and relaxation treatments
29. In which country do people celebrate “Dia de las Madres” on May 10?
Mexico
30. Which U.S. state was Anna Jarvis from?
West Virginia
31. Which flower is symbolic for Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom?
Daffodil
32. How do people in Nepal honor their mothers?
By celebrating “Mata Tirtha Aunsi” in April or May
33. In which month does Mother’s Day fall in the United Kingdom?
March
34. Which flower became the official symbol of Mother’s Day according to Anna Jarvis?
White carnation
35. What was Anna Jarvis’ primary intention in creating Mother’s Day?
To honor her own mother’s sacrifices
36. Which famous writer said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother”?
Abraham Lincoln
37. In which country is Mother’s Day celebrated as “Mothering Sunday”?
United Kingdom
38. What is the traditional Mother’s Day gift in Russia?
Flowers and chocolate
39. Which country celebrates Mother’s Day in conjunction with International Women’s Day on March 8?
Russia
40. What is the common way to celebrate Mother’s Day in Thailand?
By giving jasmine flowers
41. What popular Mother’s Day tradition involves serving breakfast in bed?
Breakfast in bed prepared by children or family members
42. Which country’s Mother’s Day is linked to Queen Sirikit’s birthday?
Thailand
43. Which plant is commonly associated with Mother’s Day celebrations in Ireland?
Primroses
44. What year did Mother’s Day celebrations begin in Japan?
Around 1931
45. Who is honored on Mother’s Day in Bolivia?
Mothers and women who died in war
46. In which month is Mother’s Day celebrated in Costa Rica?
August
47. In Nepal, what is the special pilgrimage site where people go to honor their mothers?
Mata Tirtha
48. Which organization helped popularize Mother’s Day internationally?
The International Mother’s Day Shrine
49. What color flower is commonly associated with Mother’s Day in Brazil?
White
50. How is Mother’s Day celebrated in South Korea?