Now that May has begun, Mother’s Day is taking center stage! It is an annual holiday dedicated to celebrating the selfless love and dedication of mothers everywhere. As we shower our moms with flowers, cards, and thoughtful gestures, it’s easy to get caught up in the joy of it. However, it may be interesting to learn about how this holiday came to be. Let’s explore the fascinating history behind Mother’s Day, from its humble beginnings to its widespread celebration around the world!
The ancient Greeks are often credited with starting the tradition of honoring mothers, holding a spring festival to pay tribute to Rhea, the mother of all gods. However, this didn’t work out. In England during Medieval Times, servants were allowed to travel home and spend time with their mothers during the fourth sunday of Lent. This was known as ‘Mothering Sunday.’ Despite this, the modern form of the holiday was created by Anna Marie Jarvis.
Anna adored her mother, who served during the Civil War by attending to the wounded and eventually became a community activist. It is said that Anna was inspired when she was young and heard her mother wish that one day there would be a memorial for all of the hard work done by mothers around the world. When her mother later passed, she had already created the plan for the holiday.
For the next couple anniversaries of her mother’s death, Anna would celebrate and pass out flowers to other mothers. During this time, she was able to recruit people to a Mother’s Day Committee in hopes of instituting the date. By 1910, West Virginia became the first day to celebrate the day during the second sunday of May.
Anna continued campaigning through letters, which resulted in Congress finally recognizing it as a federal holiday. In 1914, President Wilson signed a bill that officially made Mother’s Day the second Sunday of May. It was originally solely celebrated in the church, but soon spread out everywhere. People used things like love letters, carnations, and greeting cards to get into the holiday and honor their mothers. Over the years it has become an important staple throughout houses in America, with companies encouraging the celebration with gifts and cards.
To all the amazing mothers out there, the Tribe says thank you for your tireless efforts, your unwavering support, and your unconditional love. May your special day be filled with joy, love, and celebration, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day!
