Happy Mother’s Day! This holiday honors motherhood. It is observed in different ways throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2022 is today, Sunday, May 8.
American History
Anna Jarvis held the first American Mother’s Day in 1908. West Virginia was first in a long line of states to adopt Mother’s Day as a holiday. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill designating the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday called “Mother’s Day” – dedicated “to the best mother in the world, your mother.” Sadly, Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.
World History
Motherhood celebrations can be traced as far back as ancient Greece and Rome. Their people held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. Mother’s Day’s most apparent modern precedent is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.”
Once a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, Mothering Sunday fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was originally seen as a time when the faithful would return to their “mother church” – the main church in the vicinity of their home – for a special service.
Celebrating Mothers
While celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards, and other gifts. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms and those who are like Mothers to so many. All those Moms who have played a positive and powerful role in our lives. We thank you so much for all you do. Have fun making good Mother’s Day memories.
Happy Mother’s Day to All Mothers.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Sources: History; Celebrating Mother’s Day
Image Source: Adobe Stock
