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No matter the day, it's important to show gratitude toward your loved ones. But sometimes, the calendar dedicates a special day to remind you to do so. Grab your pen and mark the date, Mother's Day is on its way.

The holiday honors mother figures, giving us the chance to remind them how much they are loved and appreciated. Whether you celebrate by gift-giving or spending quality time, honoring the mother figures in your life is a vital practice.

Here's a history lesson on how Mother's Day came to be.

When is Mother's Day?

In the U.S., Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May. This year, Mother's Day is May 12.

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Is Mother's Day the same day around the world?

The date of Mother's Day can vary depending on where you live. Across the globe, many countries have their own version of the holiday.

For example, the United Kingdom celebrates Mother's Day on "," which is the fourth Sunday of Lent. In Thailand, Mother's Day is celebrated on , which is the birthday of former Queen Sirikit.

Other countries, such as , and also observe Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May.

More:This Mother's Day, share a heartfelt message with these 30 quotes about mothers.

Why is Mother's Day celebrated?

Celebrating mothers and motherhood dates back to , according to the History Channel. During that period, festivals were held for Rhea and Cybele, the mother goddesses. 

The origins of Mother's Day also derive from the religious roots of Mothering Sunday. Originally on Mothering Sunday, it was tradition to return to the "" for a special service. Some countries, including the U.K., still observe Mother's Day on Mothering Sunday. However, the celebration has , the History Channel reports.

Mother's Day celebrations in the U.S. began around the 20th century, thanks to . Jarvis was the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, who was responsible for creating the Mothers’ Day Work Clubs. These clubs provided aid to mothers, teaching them childcare strategies. During the Civil War, the clubs also served as common ground for wives of the Union and Confederacy, promoting reconciliation, according to the .

When Jarvis died in 1905, Anna Jarvis sought to create a holiday that honored the "." Three years later, in , Anna Jarvis organized the first official Mother's Day celebration at a church in West Virginia, the History Channel reports. In the years following, she participated in a letter-writing ÍûÔÂÖ±²¥ to push for Mother's Day to be adopted across the nation. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson designated it a national holiday. 

Prior to Jarvis, there were attempts to establish a holiday that honored mothers. Julia Ward Howe wrote the "" in 1870, calling for moms everywhere to come together for the cause of universal peace, according to the History Channel. Howe later ÍûÔÂÖ±²¥ed for a "Mother’s Peace Day" to be celebrated every June 2, but was unsuccessful.

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