| Mother's Day is a day set apart to express appreciation. It falls on a different day each year, but it is always the second Sunday in May. The origin goes back centuries. The earliest celebrations can be traced back to the spring celebrations of ancient Greece. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the celebration changed to honor the "Mother Church." In the 1600's, in England, "Mothering Sunday" was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent to honor mothers in England.
It began in the United States in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe, as a day dedicated to peace and motherhood. It was celebrated in a few places, but didn't really catch on until 1907, when Anna Jarvis started a campaign for a national
day. She stirred people up to write to ministers, politicians, and businessmen, until
the day was celebrated in nearly every state. She used white carnations
as the official flower, as that was her own mother's favorite. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May to be Mother's Day: Presidential Proclamation, 1914
"Whereas the service rendered the United States by the American mother is the greatest source of the country's strength and admiration; Whereas we honor ourselves and the mothers of America when we do anything to give emphasis to the home; and Whereas the American mother is doing so much for good government and humanity, we declare that the second Sunday of May will thenceforth be celebrated as Mother's Day." At first people observed
the day by going to church, and by writing letters to their mothers. Over time,
it became an occasion for cards, presents, and flowers.
It is now the second highest gift-giving holiday in the United States, the busiest day of the year for many restaurants, and the peak day of the year for long distance phone calls, as sons and daughters everywhere call home to honor and express appreciation for their mothers.
It's celebrated on the second Sunday in May in other countries as well, including Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium. Other countries have a similar holiday on different dates. But wherever or whenever it is celebrated,
it's always a day to let mothers know how much they are loved. “Mother's Day is in honor of the best Mother who ever lived- the Mother of your heart.”
~Anna Jarvis |
