The celebration of Mother's Day began in the United States in the
early 20th century; it is not related to the many celebrations of
mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over
thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival
of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration (originally a
celebration of the mother church, not motherhood). Despite this, in some countries, Mother's Day has become synonymous with these older traditions.