A Glimpse into the Past: The History of Mother's Day
The tradition of celebrating motherhood dates back to ancient civilizations. The Greeks and Romans held festivals to honor mother goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele. In Christian tradition, a similar celebration known as “Mothering Sunday” was observed. This occasion was initially a religious event allowing faithful followers to visit their "mother church" for a special service.
Over time, Mothering Sunday transformed into a secular holiday, where children presented their mothers with flowers and tokens of appreciation. This tradition gradually dwindled in popularity before merging with the American Mother's Day in the 1930s and 1940s.
Did you know? More phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. These holiday chats with Mom often cause phone traffic to spike by as much as 37 percent.
The Pioneers Behind Mother's Day
The foundations of Mother's Day as we know it today were laid in the 19th century. Ann Reeves Jarvis, a resident of West Virginia, started “Mother's Day Work Clubs" before the Civil War to teach women how to care for their children. These clubs played a crucial role in uniting communities that were divided over the Civil War.
In 1868, Jarvis organized “Mother's Friendship Day,” a unique event where mothers, along with former Union and Confederate soldiers, gathered to promote reconciliation. Julia Ward Howe, another key figure in establishing Mother's Day, wrote the "Mother’s Day Proclamation" in 1870. This was a call to action for mothers to unite in promoting world peace.
Mother's Day Becomes a National Holiday
The efforts of Anna Jarvis, the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, were instrumental in making Mother's Day an official U.S. holiday. Following her mother's death in 1905, Anna envisaged Mother's Day as a way to honor the sacrifices mothers made for their children.
With the support of John Wanamaker, a Philadelphia department store owner, Anna organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration in 1908. This event took place at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia and was followed by a similar gathering at one of Wanamaker's retail stores in Philadelphia.
Anna's relentless advocacy for Mother's Day led to its inclusion in the national calendar in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation officially declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
Jarvis and the Commercialization of Mother's Day
Anna Jarvis initially intended Mother's Day to be a day of personal celebration between mothers and families, involving wearing a white carnation as a badge, visiting one's mother, or attending church services. However, as Mother's Day became a national holiday, it was soon commercialized by florists, card companies, and other merchants.
Jarvis openly criticized the transformation of Mother's Day into a commercialized holiday and urged people to stop purchasing Mother's Day flowers, cards, and candies. She even took legal action against groups using the name "Mother's Day," spending most of her personal wealth on legal fees. By the time of her death in 1948, Jarvis had disowned the holiday completely and even lobbied the government to have it removed from the American calendar.
Mother's Day Celebrations Around the World
While Mother's Day is celebrated globally, the traditions and dates of celebration differ from one country to another. In Thailand, Mother's Day coincides with the birthday of Queen Sirikit and is celebrated in August. Ethiopia celebrates Antrosht, a multi-day event honoring motherhood, with families gathering to sing songs and enjoy a large feast.
In the U.S., Mother's Day is a day for presenting mothers and other women with gifts and flowers, making it one of the biggest holidays for consumer spending. Families celebrate the day by giving mothers a break from daily chores like cooking or other household tasks.
Mother's Day has also been used as a platform for launching political or feminist causes. In 1968, Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., hosted a march on Mother's Day in support of underprivileged women and children. In the 1970s, women's groups used the holiday to highlight the need for equal rights and access to childcare.
Final Thoughts
Mother's Day is not just a day for gift-giving but a heartfelt celebration of motherhood and the influential role mothers play in our lives. As we look forward to Mother's Day 2024, let's remember to express our gratitude and love for our mothers, not just on this special day, but every single day.
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Date Published: March 22, 2024