CubaPLUS Magazine

Mothers Day, a celebration impossible to ignore

By: Mercy Ramos, photos: José (Tito) Meriño
May 08, 2021
Mothers Day, a celebration impossible to ignore

For every person, without a doubt, the most important being in their existence is the mother, because, in addition to giving life, she welcomes you in her womb for 9 months and, in addition, takes care of you and watches over you always.

For all this and as a way of honoring her, Mother#39;s Day was created, celebrated in most countries on the planet, although the date is not always the same.

The first date chosen goes back to ancient Greece, where Rhea, the mother of the gods Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades was honored. Later, the Romans named the day after Hilaria, inherited from the Greeks.

Then it was celebrated on March 15 in the temple of Cibeles and for three days, offerings were made. With Christianity, the anniversary was transformed to honor the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.

According to Catholic saints, the feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8, date that Catholics adopted to celebrate that day.

As has been known, the contemporary origin of this date dates back to the year 1865, when the poet and activist Julia Ward Howe, organized peaceful demonstrations and religious celebrations in Boston, where mothers of families victims of the Civil War participated.

Although regular celebrations were held, it was not until 1910 that the American Anne Marie Jarvis from Philadelphia managed to spread the initiative of the tribute to mothers, which she had proposed five years before to honor her deceased mother.

Not until 1914 did it become official with the signature of then President Woodrow Wilson. In Cuba, the tribute to mothers was held for the first time in 1920 when, at the initiative of a group of friends who met every night at the quot;Center for Instruction and Recreationquot; in Santiago de Las Vegas, Havana, when the proposal was made.

Journalist Víctor Muñoz, a fervent defender of just causes, wrote an article and, a year later, the City Council of the capital, at Muñoz#39;s proposal, agreed to celebrate quot;Mother#39;s Dayquot;. Officially, the District of Havana approved it and in 1928 it was officially extended to all Cuba. Since then, Mother#39;s Day is celebrated every second Sunday in May, a worthy tribute to women who give everything for their children and family.

As the Apostle José Martí said: &The mother, whether far or near us, is the support of our life. ..."

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