Mother’s Day in Costa Rica
Mother’s Day is a holiday observed in various countries around the world. For many countries, the second Sunday of May is celebrated as this holiday. However, this is not the case in all countries. In parts of Latin America, May 10th is celebrated as Mother’s Day, and in Thailand, August 12th is the day for this holiday.
Costa Rica (National holiday)In Costa Rica, this holiday is celebrated on August 15th—if the holiday falls on a weekday, or the following Monday if it falls on a weekend. In this country, the holiday also has a religious connotation that is not present in other Mother’s Day celebrations held in other countries.
The History of Mother’s Day in Costa Rica
At the beginning of the 20th century, many countries began to recognize women more for their motherly roles, not only in Costa Rica but also in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Then, during the 1920s, festivities began to crop up in Costa Rica that were held to honor mothers’ contributions to society. The first of these holidays was the Feast of Mothers, followed by Mother Honor Day.
It would not be until 1932, however, that Mother’s Day would become an official holiday in Costa Rica. This is when it was declared a public holiday to be observed every year on August 15th. On this day, schools, public institutions, and many businesses close in celebration of the holiday.
Observing Mother’s Day in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, Mother’s Day is a non-working day by law. It is a day when people spend time with their mothers, enjoy a nice meal with them, or give them a special gift. It is also a day associated with the Virgin Mary, so there are a number of religious services dedicated to her on this day. Additionally, it is a day off for the general population, and businesses, government agencies, and schools are closed.
Costa Rica (National holiday)
