In Europe we have celebrated Mother's Day since the 17th century. In the middle of the 19th century it became very fashionable in England, and was ultimately also declared an official public holiday in America. In 1907 the Methodist daughter Ann Jarvis put forward the idea of a special day on which to praise the work of mothers. Her idea quickly spread, and as long ago as 1914 the American Congress declared that the second Sunday in May should be an official holiday. In many countries, such as Germany, this day is still the official date for Mother's Day. Accordingly in these countries Mother's Day this year is May 9.

In other European countries, in France for instance, Mother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in May. If this day, however, coincides with Whit Sunday, as is the case this year, mothers can look forward to present on the first Sunday in June, on June 6 this year therefore.

The fourth Sunday in Lent is the official date for "Mothering Sunday" in England. This year it is being celebrated on 21 March.

In the past Mother's Day was regarded as a special day for both parents. This was good so, as there was at that time no comparable equivalent for fathers throughout Europe. In Great Britain the children and grandchildren gathered on "Mothering Day" in honour of their parents and their grandparents. After the end of the Second World War Mother's Day became a fixed event everywhere in Europe.

Don't forget! When exactly Mother's Day is celebrated in your country in 2004 is shown in the table below:

Mother's Day	Country	Basis
21. March	England	Fourth Sunday in Lent
2. May	Spain	First Sunday in May
9. May	Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy	Second Sunday in May
6. June	France	The last Sunday in May - if this coincides with Whit Sunday, on the first Sunday in June
15. August	Belgium	In certain regions Mother’s Day isn’t celebrated on 9 May, but on Assumption Day (15 August)

Alongside the long-standing religious traditions associated with Ascension Day, which is always celebrated on the Thursday 40 days after Easter Sunday and which is an official public holiday in many European countries, there is now a further reason to celebrate on this day: Father's Day! This custom was established in Holland in 1936, and fathers went on an outing on this day. Father's Day is however only celebrated in a number of European countries: in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, France, and Germany.

A sweet surprise with gelatine for Mum and Dad:

Why not present both parents with a pleasant surprise on Mother's Day? For instance a fruity, fresh jelly baby cake. The little ones will find that preparing this cake is child's play, and it will please old and young alike. To the recipe