There is an Islamic proverb of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) that says, "Heaven lieth at the feet of the mothers." Mothers have always held a special place in the hearts of all people, because it is our mothers who give us life, without whom we would not exist. On the second Sunday of May, many countries, - including the United States, Denmark, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, and Australia -celebrate Mother's Day, a day set aside to honor mothers. Many other countries celebrate Mother's Day as well, on different dates and in different ways.

Mother's Day came to be celebrated in America at the beginning of the 20th century. A woman named Ana Jarvis campaigned for a national day celebrating mothers to take place on the anniversary of her own mother's death. She gained support quickly, and through a letter-writing campaign succeeded in influencing many church congregations to take up the commemoration of the second Sunday in May. By 1911, nearly every state was celebrating Mother's Day, and, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother's Day an official national holiday.

Mother's Day traditions worldwide:

It is traditional, in the U.S., to give your mother flowers, cards, and gifts on this day. Many churches hold luncheons to honor the mothers in their congregations, or families celebrate with private lunches or dinners.

In Sweden, Mother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of May. Little red flowers are sold by the Swedish Red Cross to be presented to mothers, and the money from the flowers is used to allow mothers with many children to take a vacation.

The French celebrate Mother's Day much like a family birthday. Their special day is also on the last Sunday in May. A large dinner is prepared by the family for the mother, and at the end of the dinner, the mother is presented with a beautiful cake.

In Spain and Portugal, celebration of Mother's Day is closely linked to Christianity. The celebrants especially honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as their own mothers.

England calls its Mother's Day "Mothering Sunday", and takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Mothering Sunday began first as a day when children, primarily daughters, who had left home to work, would return home to visit their mothers. Today, the holiday is celebrated by children bringing homemade cards, gifts, and flowers to their mothers.

Mother's Day was introduced in Japan after World War II, and there it is called Haha no hi. Children present flowers to their mothers, most commonly red carnations, red being the color of luck. Gifts such as scarves, handbags, and other pretty things are also popular.