How Did Mother’s Day Become a Holiday?
Mother’s Day, celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year, is a holiday that honors the sacrifices and love that mothers provide to their families. The origins of this special day are shrouded in mystery and have evolved over time. But how did Mother’s Day become a holiday? Let’s delve into the fascinating history behind this cherished tradition.
The concept of Mother’s Day dates back to ancient times, with various cultures celebrating the mother goddess. However, the modern celebration of Mother’s Day began in the United States during the 19th century. One of the most influential figures in its establishment was Julia Ward Howe, a prominent suffragist and abolitionist.
In 1870, Howe wrote a “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” which called for peace and the recognition of mothers’ role in promoting peace and unity. Howe believed that mothers should be celebrated for their unwavering commitment to their children and the betterment of society. Although Howe’s proclamation did not lead to the creation of Mother’s Day, it laid the groundwork for the holiday’s eventual establishment.
Another key figure in the development of Mother’s Day was Anna Jarvis, a West Virginia woman who wanted to honor her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis. Ann Reeves Jarvis was a peace activist and a founder of “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs,” which aimed to improve public health and sanitation. After her mother’s death in 1905, Anna Jarvis vowed to establish a day to honor mothers.
In 1908, Jarvis held the first official Mother’s Day celebration at her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. She then began a relentless campaign to persuade state governments to recognize Mother’s Day. Her efforts eventually paid off when West Virginia became the first state to declare Mother’s Day as an official holiday in 1910.
Anna Jarvis continued her campaign to make Mother’s Day a national holiday, and her efforts bore fruit in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother’s Day an official national holiday. The date was set as the second Sunday in May, in recognition of the fact that this was the day Jarvis’s own mother had passed away.
Since then, Mother’s Day has become a widely celebrated holiday across the United States and in many other countries. While the commercialization of the holiday has sparked controversy, the essence of Mother’s Day remains a time to express gratitude and love for the mothers who have touched our lives. The fascinating journey of how Mother’s Day became a holiday is a testament to the enduring power of gratitude and the love that mothers give to their families.
