Before modern celebrations of Mother’s Day, the ancient Greeks and Romans would honor their mother goddesses with festivals in their honor. Early Christians held a “Mothering Sunday” festival as well. This celebration was on the fourth Sunday in Lent and churches held a special service.
Mother’s Day In America
In the United States the day was originally celebrated differently than as we are familiar with now. The first celebration began in West Virginia. Ann Reeves Jarvis initially organized Mother’s Day events. Jarvis coordinated Mother’s Work Clubs in an effort to teach women how to properly care for their children.
Later, Julia Ward Howe wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation calling for mothers to unite in promoting world peace. Howe was attempting to establish a “Mother’s Peace Day” celebration every June 2. Eventually, the official U.S. holiday began in the 1900s.
Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, organized the first celebration in Grafton, West Virginia at a Methodist church. Anna Jarvis’ goal was to honor the sacrifices mothers made for their children. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing Mother’s Day on the second Sunday each May.
Interestingly enough, Anna Jarvis later tried to remove this holiday from the calendar due to the monumental commercialization the holiday quickly developed. Despite initially working alongside florists to promote wearing a white carnation on this special day, Anna Jarvis urged people to stop buying flowers as well as cards, candies, and other gifts.
In America, Mother’s Day is now one of the biggest holidays of the year. People often celebrate with family gatherings, giving gifts, flowers, and cards, and otherwise showing appreciation to the mothers in their lives.
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Sources: “Mother’s Day 2021” | Photo
