In the UK, it is actually called Mothering Sunday and the history is when the Roman Empire and Europe converted to Christianity, Mothering Sunday celebrations became part of the liturgical calendar as 'Laetare Sunday', the fourth Sunday in Lent to honour the Virgin Mary and the "mother church". It has now become a very secular day in mid march to celebrate Mothers and the name Mother's Day has become used more often than Mothering Sunday.
Just wondering if anyone knows where/when it moved over to USA and if it has the same history, or is it only used in the new, secular sense to celebrate mothers?
P.S. this is not homework, I am 28 and just curious, so please answer it and don't give me any grief about doing my own work! 
Anna M. Jarvis has the credit for the traditional Mother’s Day we celebrate. But what we celebrate and what she intended are two different things.
After the death of her mother Anna Reeves Jarvis, Anna M Jarvis started a campaign for the creation of an official Mother’s Day. Her goal was to honor the memory of her mother and honor peace in the world.
In 1908, she petitioned the superintendent of the church where her mother had taught Sunday School for 20 years. Her request was honored and on May 10, 1908 the first official Mother’s Day celebration was held at Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia and in another church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. White carnations her mother’s favorite flower were given to each mother in attendance. This later changed to the current tradition of a white carnation to honor decreased mothers and red or pink ones to honor mothers still alive.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Anna M. Jarvis has the credit for the traditional Mother’s Day we celebrate. But what we celebrate and what she intended are two different things.
After the death of her mother Anna Reeves Jarvis, Anna M Jarvis started a campaign for the creation of an official Mother’s Day. Her goal was to honor the memory of her mother and honor peace in the world.
In 1908, she petitioned the superintendent of the church where her mother had taught Sunday School for 20 years. Her request was honored and on May 10, 1908 the first official Mother’s Day celebration was held at Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia and in another church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. White carnations her mother’s favorite flower were given to each mother in attendance. This later changed to the current tradition of a white carnation to honor decreased mothers and red or pink ones to honor mothers still alive.
References :
http://www.socyberty.com/Holidays/Motherhood-Celebration.660887