The Origins Of Mother's Day In The United States
Mother's Day is a holiday that brings families together to celebrate the Mothers and Mother figures in our lives. It is a day when: Mothers are treated by their families to special outings, to breakfast in bed, to a gift of flowers, or simply a thank you or many hugs by those who love them.
I always thought Mother's Day was simply a creation by Hallmark Cards or the floral industry. Sure they helped to make it the big holiday it is today, but I was wrong about it's early origin according to my Google research.
One of the early calls to celebrate Mother's Day can be attributed to the "Mother's Day Proclamation" written by Julia Ward Howe in 1870. This proclamation was her reaction to Mothers' sons killing other Mothers' sons in the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. She believed in the power of women and called for an international Mother's Day to celebrate peace and Motherhood.
(Interestingly, Julia Ward Howe was also the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic 12 years before the writing of the Mother's Day Proclamation.)
The next two women to help in the efforts of establishing Mother's Day as a recognized holiday were a mother and daughter. Anna Reeves Jarvis led a group in West Virginia to celebrate a holiday to help re-unite families and neighbors divided by the Civil War, The Mother's Friendship Day.
After Anna Reeves Jarvis death, her daughter Anna M. Jarvis continued the effort to create a national Mother's Day. She succeeded in having President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 declare the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
When Anna M. was honoring her mother at death she put in place the significance of the color of carnations for this holiday: white carnations honor deceased Mothers, red and pink carnations honor Mothers who are alive.
To all of you Women who are Mothers and to those of you, who are Mother figures, may you know that you are appreciated on this special day and all days.
Happy Mother's Day!
The Origins Of Mother's Day In The United States
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Thanks for sharing the history lesson, I had know idea!
Thanks for the history lesson. I did not know about the carnations. I will have to remember that.
Gloria,
I'm glad you did the research and posted this very important information. Knowing the origin is quite fascinating. Mothers are our first teachers in life and many people don't dig deep enough to get to the roots to find out why we do things, i.e., celebrate an occasion like Mother's Day.
I wish you a day to be honored with family and loved ones. You're a special lady who deserves to be treated like a queen. May your day be just perfect, in every way!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Patricia
Gloria - thanks for giving us all the history on Mother's Day and how it began - very interesting and it didn't surprise me that woman were responsible for the holiday! Happy Mother's Day to you!
Doug and Gloria - I had no idea of the history of Mother's Day, and had always thought it instigated by the Hallmark Greeting Card company. It's actual origin is fascinating.
Thanks for the history of Mother's Day. My mother was born the year that President Wilson declared Mother's Day, in 1914.
Thankful that my carnation is pink for 2011; enjoyed the historical data. I hope you guys had a spectacular day!
Doug and Gloria, I had no idea. Thanks for the information - I'm going to send this to my mom.
Gloria - I didn't know about the significance of the colors of the flowers; that's interesting. Thank you for all the history. That's a lovely flower in your picture.
Kim, You are welcome. Not like I imagined.
Donna, I will have to remember that also.