Mother's Day Features

Gift ideas, features, and fun stuff

Infoplease Poll What's your favorite motherly advice? Don't stand on a swivel chair. Always wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident. Don't put that in your mouth. You don't know where it's been. Mind your manners. You can't regret what you don't say. Take another Mother's Day poll Take another poll

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Origins of Mother's Day

The custom of honoring mothers goes back at least as far as 17th-century England, which celebrated (and still celebrates) Mothering Sunday.

Mother's Day in the United States originated in 1872 with Julia Ward Howe, a writer, abolitionist, and suffragist who wrote the words to "Battle Hymn of the Republic." In 1911, President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday. In 2012, Mother's Day will be celebrated on May 13.

Special Features

• Mothers by the Numbers
  There are 82.8 million mothers of all ages in the United States
• Mother's Day Quotations
  Memorable quotations to share with Mom
• State of the World's Mothers: 2011
  Save the Children's annual Mothers' Index
• Showbiz Moms
  When mom's a movie star, the kids are likely to follow
• Women's History Features
  Notable women in business, education, the arts, and more

Especially for Kids

• Mother's Day Gift Ideas^New!!
  Cards, bookmarks, gift certificates, and more
• Mothers of Invention
  Mothers who invented fun stuff
• Like Mother, Like Daughter
  These women have followed in their mothers' footsteps

Fun Stuff

• Quiz: Mother's Day
  In Greek mythology, who is the Goddess of the Earth and the mother of Cyclopes, the Hundred-handed Ones, and the Titans?
• Game: Mother's Day Slider Puzzle
• Crossword: Media Moms
  54 Across: Superstar mother of The Drowned World Tour 2001
• Crossword: Mother's Day
  18 Across: Bamm-Bamm's mother