Kohima, May 13: Nagaland joined the rest of the world to celebrate Mother’s Day today.

Several programmes were held to honour mothers, including special lunches at churches.

Mothers were given gifts and prayers were also held for them. Shops were overcrowded with people who were busy doing last-minute shopping for the occasion.

The day is celebrated to honour all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. Most countries, including the US, Australia, Canada and India celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May.

Mother’s Day came into being because of the efforts of Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis.

The resolution for having a day dedicated to mothers was signed by US President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. Since then, people across the world have been celebrating Mother’s Day with joy and devotion.

Early Mother’s Day celebrations date back to the spring celebrations to honour Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, in ancient Greek civilisation, according to some sources.

Later, Mothering Sunday in the UK was traditionally a day for people to visit the church where they were baptised.

Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world. Mother’s Day has come to be internationally recognised as the day to honour all mothers and thank them for all that they do.

“For a mother the greatest joy is to see her child grow into a man or a woman,” Khrienuo Moa, administrator of G. Rio Higher Secondary School, said.