Do You Know Your Mother's Day Trivia?

Today's the day when millions of moms across the country—85 million at last count in 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—are celebrated with flowers and homemade cards. In honor of Sunday's celebrations, Patch rounded up some facts about baby names, florists and Mother's Day history.

The average adult celebrating Mother's Day is expected to spend $152.52 on activities, gifts and cards, up from $140.73 in 2011 and $126.60 in 2010, according to the National Retail Federation's Mother's Day consumer spending survey.

Total spending is expected to reach $18.6 billion, compared to $16.3 billion in 2011 and $14.6 billion in 2010.

Much of that money will be spent at the thousands of florists, as well as the multitude of jewelry and other stores across the country. According to the Census Bureau, there were slightly more than 17,000 florists establishments nationwide in 2009, in addition to 14,279 cosmetics, beauty supply and perfume stores and 24,973 jewelry stores.

That same year, the florists employed 75,855 to prepare, deliver and sell floral arrangements on Mother’s Day, the Census Bureau reported. The 99 greeting-card publishing establishments employed 11,044 people.

"Despite grappling with high gas prices, Americans will look for sentimental and unique ways to shower mom with affection this year," said National Retail Federation President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Shay.

Of the 8,724 adults polled, 86.5 percent said they planned on celebrating Mother's Day. Nearly two-thirds, 66.7 percent of those celebrating, said they would buy flowers; 54.3 percent said they would treat mother to a brunch or dinner; and 32.8 percent said they would buy clothing or accessories.

The survey conducted by BIGresearch between April 3-10 has a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percent.

In his Mother's Day proclamation, President Barack Obama called mothers "cornerstones of our families and our communities."

"Through their example, our children learn the principles of hard work, compassion, service and personal responsibility," Obama wrote. "Through their encouragement and unconditional support, they instill confidence and values to vital to our children's success."

Mother's Day was initially proposed in 1870 by activist-poet Julia Ward Howe as a call for peace and disarmament. It was celebrated in 18 cities in 1873, continued for about another 10 years in Boston under Howe's backing, then died out.

The second attempt to establish Mother's Day began on May 9, 1907, the second anniversary of the death of Anna Jarvis' mother Ann. She invited several friends to her home in Philadelphia in commemoration of her mother's life, which included providing nursing care and promoting better sanitation during the Civil War, helping save lives on both sides.

Jarvis announced to her friends her idea of a day of national celebration in honor of mothers, which was first celebrated on May 10, 1908 at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, W.V. where Ann Jarvis worshipped. The church is now known as the International Mother's Day Shrine.

West Virginia Gov. William E. Glasscock issued the first Mother's Day proclamation in 1910. By 1911, it was celebrated in nearly every state. President Woodrow Wilson signed a congressional joint resolution in 1914 designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day nationally.

—City News Service contributed to this report.