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History of Mother’s Day

History of Mothers Day

History of Mother’s Day |  Happenings at MileStone Academy | Michele Hewitt-Webster |  Posted May 11, 2023


History of Mother’s Day  |  Introduction

The history of Mother’s Day starts as early as the 1870s.

Early Mother’s Day pioneers include Anna Jarvis, Juliet Calhoun Blakely, Mary Towles Sasseen, and Frank Hering.

George Washington said, “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her.”

Mother’s Day is a holiday celebrated around the world in different ways.

This year, Mother’s Day will occur on Sunday, May 14.

While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day history involves presenting moms with flowers, cards, and other gifts.

Origin and History of Mother’s Day

Each year, we take this time to honor and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices made by mothers in their families and society.

In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, there were celebrations to honor maternal goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele.

The early Christians also held a festival in honor of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, called Mothering Sunday in England.

Who is Anna Jarvis?

The concept of honoring mothers has existed in the United States since the early 20th century (January 1, 1901).

On May 10, 1908, Anna Jarvis from West Virginia wanted to create a holiday to honor all mothers and their contributions to society. Her mother often expressed a desire to establish such a holiday.

Three years after her mother’s death, Jarvis held a memorial ceremony to honor her and all mothers at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, marking the first official observance of Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day Becomes a Proclamation

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation naming the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, and it became an official holiday in the United States.

Other countries soon followed suit and began to celebrate the holiday as well.

History of Mothers Day

Americans Reappropriate Mother’s Day

Over the years, Mother’s Day has become a commercialized holiday, with the sale of cards, flowers, and gifts reaching billions of dollars in revenue.

By the 1920s, the floral industry continued increasing prices of white and red carnations to meet the demand for the flower.

Anna Jarvis’ original symbols began to become re-appropriated.

Eventually, Jarvis denounced the holiday’s commercialization and spent most of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.

Jarvis unsuccessfully tried to counter commercial forces by creating a badge with a Mother’s Day emblem as a less ephemeral alternative to the white carnation.

Conclusion

Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is seen in different forms throughout the world.

Despite the lack of personalization and profitability, the holiday is still a special occasion to express gratitude and appreciation for the remarkable women who have mothered us in their unique ways.

Motherhood means a lot to us here at MileStone Academy. It is who they are and who they stand for.

It is who we know is the heart of the home and who will decide the future of our country.

A mom is the one who holds the most significant influence on her children. She steers the course of their hearts toward specific values and beliefs. She is the strength her children turn to, the love they count on, and the inspiration they seek.

A mom is the one who holds the most significant influence on her children. She steers the course of their hearts toward specific values and beliefs. She is the strength her children turn to, the love they count on, and the inspiration they seek.

That is what makes Mother’s Day so unique. And why we love them so much.

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