Mother's Day 🤱

Mother's Day in the United States has its roots in the efforts of a woman named Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her own mother and recognize the contributions of all mothers.

Here's an overview of the origin and history of Mother's Day in the USA

1. Early Influences

The concept of honoring mothers dates back to ancient times, with various cultures holding festivals and celebrations dedicated to motherhood. In early Christian traditions, there was a day known as «Mothering Sunday», which honored the Virgin Mary and mothers.

2. Efforts of Anna Jarvis

The modern Mother's Day in the United States can be credited to Anna Jarvis. Following the death of her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, in 1905, Anna Jarvis wanted to establish a day to honor mothers and their role in society. She wanted to create a day for people to express their love and gratitude for their mothers.

3. First Mother's Day Celebration

On May 10, 1908, the first official Mother's Day celebration was held in Grafton, West Virginia, where Anna Jarvis' mother had lived. Anna organized a memorial service at a local church to honor her mother and all mothers. She distributed white carnations, her mother's favorite flower, to symbolize the purity of a mother's love.

4. Campaign for National Recognition

Encouraged by the success of the first celebration, Anna Jarvis embarked on a campaign to establish Mother's Day as a national holiday. She wrote letters to politicians, businessmen, and influential figures, advocating for the official recognition of Mother's Day.

5. Mother's Day Becomes a National Holiday

Anna Jarvis's efforts bore fruit when, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. It became an official national holiday, recognizing the importance of mothers and their contributions to society.

6. Commercialization and Controversies

As Mother's Day gained popularity, it became increasingly commercialized, with the sale of cards, flowers, and gifts. This commercial aspect of the holiday was not what Anna Jarvis had intended, and she became increasingly critical of the commercialization. She spent her later years fighting against the commercialization of Mother's Day.

7. Modern Observance

Today, Mother's Day is widely celebrated in the United States. It is a day when people express their love and appreciation for their mothers or mother figures. Many people give gifts, send cards, and spend time with their mothers. It has also become a day to honor and recognize the important role of women in society, beyond just biological motherhood.

While the commercial aspects of Mother's Day have grown, the underlying sentiment of expressing love and gratitude for mothers remains central to its observance. Mother's Day serves as a special occasion to celebrate and appreciate the selfless love and dedication of mothers in the United States.