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Mother's Day in United States
Mother's Day is a national observance honoring mothers and mother figures, celebrated on the second Sunday of May in the United States.
History
The modern US Mother's Day was founded by Anna Jarvis, who held the first official celebration in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908 in memory of her own mother. Jarvis campaigned for years afterward, and President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making it a national observance in 1914.
How it's celebrated
It is marked with cards, flowers, brunch, and gifts for mothers and mother figures. It is not a public holiday: banks, schools, and most businesses stay open as normal.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Mother's Day a public holiday in the US?
No — it is a national observance, not a federal public holiday. Banks, schools, and most workplaces operate as usual.
Who started Mother's Day?
Anna Jarvis held the first official Mother's Day celebration in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908; President Woodrow Wilson made it a national observance in 1914.
Is Mother's Day always the same date?
No — it falls on the second Sunday of May every year, so the calendar date changes year to year.