Is today Mexican Mother's Day? Details to know about May 10 holiday
Mother's Day in the U.S. is always on the second Sunday in May, but for those of Mexican, Salvadoran and Guatemalan descent, Mother's Day often comes a bit earlier.
Dia de la Madres always lands on May 10 for those who celebrate. It is a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
It is often celebrated by families gathering to pay respect to their mothers. Dia de la Madres is a day to honor the sacrifices, the hardships endured and give space for mothers to be shown the same love and adoration that they provide to their families.
Here's more about Dia de la Madres, why it's important to the Mexican culture and how families celebrate with their Mother's Day traditions.
More: From menudo to high tea: The best Mother's Day options in El Paso County
When's Mexican Mother's Day?
Mother's Day, or Dia de las Madres, is celebrated every year on the same date: May 10.
People in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and others in the diaspora worldwide observe this holiday and pay homage to their mothers on this date.
Why is Mother's Day different in Mexico?
The United States has its own Mother's Day traditions. Every second Sunday in May, Americans celebrate the national holiday. This has been the American tradition since President Woodrow Wilson declared the first Mother's Day in 1914.
Why is Mexican Mother's Day always on the 10th?
Celebrating Dia de las Madres on May 10 is a tradition that started over 100 years ago.
In 1922, a journalist named Rafael Alducin called for Mexico as a nation to decide on a day to pay respects to Mexican mothers.
The result was for May 10 to be that day and as the Yucatan Times notes, Mexico became the first Latin American country to recognize a day to pay homage and recognize the important roles that mothers play.
However, celebrating motherhood is not a new concept in the continent.
Indigenous communities across the region have been built around matriarchs that are foundational to the identities of various cultures. Motherhood and fertility are commonly celebrated and considered sacred, with some communities having deities representing their importance.
What is the Mexican tradition for Mother's Day?
Traditions look different across the diaspora of Mexicans. Some are influenced by regions as the culture and identity differ from community to community. Others have generational familiar traditions that are unique and make up their understanding of the value of mothers.
Like the American tradition, gifts are a common way to show respect to mothers. This may look like a shared meal, or an objective with emotional value. It could be something nice that a mom has been eyeing at the store.
Music has a role in paying homage. Songs dedicated to mothers are powerful testaments to the love Mexicans have for their mothers.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: When is Mexican Mother's Day? Celebrate Dia de la Madres on May 10
