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Getúlio Vargas officially established Mother's Day in Brazil in 1932 by decree

2 sources · 10 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

Brazilian Mother's Day was officially established on May 5, 1932 by a decree from Getúlio Vargas, setting the second Sunday of May as the national date. The tradition was copied from the United States, where Anna Jarvis created the modern celebration in the early 20th century. The date became the second most important for Brazilian commerce, second only to Christmas.

Modern Mother's Day was created in the United States in the early 20th century by Anna Jarvis, who lost her mother in 1905 and campaigned for a date to honor maternal sentiment. Vargas's officialization in 1932 occurred during a period of valorization of women as citizens, when women began to have voting rights in Brazil.

1. What we know (4)

Getúlio Vargas officially established Mother's Day in Brazil through decree 21.366, published on May 5, 1932

2 sources A Gazeta G1

The Brazilian model was copied from the United States, where Anna Maria Jarvis created the modern celebration after losing her mother in 1905

2 sources A Gazeta G1

The date was consolidated during the military regime (1964-1985) with the valorization of family and motherhood

2 sources A Gazeta G1

There were already previous celebrations in Brazil linked mainly to Christian churches, with a recorded celebration in Rio Grande do Sul on May 12, 1918

2 sources A Gazeta G1
2. Where coverage thins out (0)

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3. What we don't know yet

No gaps declared — all sources converge on the material facts.

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