FYI Magazine

Mother's Day Not Exclusive to the United States

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Most Americans likely never even thought about it, but Mother's Day is not a celebration exclusive to the United States. In fact, Mother's Day is celebrated in several countries throughout the world.

• Australia. Australians celebrate Mother's Day in a fashion similar to Americans, including wearing carnations. In Australia, a colored carnation worn on Mother's Day signifies that a mother is living while a white carnation is worn to honor a deceased mother. And just like Americans, Australians celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May.
• Canada. America's neighbors to the north also celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. Canadians also show Mom their gratitude most commonly with flowers and cards.
• India. Mother's Day is in its infant stages in India, but it has grown in popularity each year since its inception. Many credit increasing globalization with the dawn of Mother's Day in India, where the holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.
• Mexico. Unlike the aforementioned countries, Mexico celebrates Mother's Day on May 10 every year, regardless of what day that happens to fall on the calendar. Sons and daughters often arrive at their mother's home the night before Mother's Day, and churches across the country organize special masses in honor of the country's mothers.
• Ireland. Mother's Day in Ireland is tied to the Christian fasting month of Lent, celebrated on the fourth Sunday of each Lent. The tradition in Ireland dates back to medieval times, when poor children in Ireland were sent to work as apprentices and domestic servants for wealthy families. Once a year, during the middle of the Lenten season, these children were allowed to visit their mothers and presented them flowers they picked up along the way.
• South Africa. South Africans celebrate Mother's Day on the first Sunday in May. In addition to their own mothers, South Africans also emphasize the importance of thanking their grandmothers and women who are like mothers on Mother's Day.  

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