The History of Mother's Day

By Aurelia M. Fleur
The first time Mother's Day was celebrated was June 2, 1872. A suffragette named Julia Ward Howe founded "Mother's Day For Peace." The point of the event was originally pretty close to the chant of "Give Peace a Chance" taken up a century later. In this instance, "Mother" represented both the person who gave birth, and the feelings of comfort and joy associated with that person. The day kept these multiple meanings for several decades. After the turn of the century, it became closer to the event we recognize today.

Ann Reeves Jarvis was another woman who helped to organize those around her to improve their local living conditions. Her daughter Anna continued Ms. Jarvis' efforts after her death and petitioned for a national holiday to honor all of the nation's mothers and the important work that they do. Woodrow Wilson signed the bill making Mother's Day a holiday into law in 1914. Since then, Mother's Day has been observed on the second Sunday in May.

By the year 1923, Jarvis began to be very outspoken against the commercialization of Mother's Day. What had begun, in her eyes, as an attempt to honor motherhood had turned into a bonanza at the local shops and markets for Mother's Day gifts. Many people began to send flowers to their moms as gifts on this special day. Jarvis never did have children of her own, and spent most of her life speaking out against the way the holiday was being celebrated. Sadly, she spent the latter part of her life in a sanitarium,

Many people spend time with their mothers to commemorate the holiday. Some people who live too far away and cannot visit so easily, send their mothers Mother's Day flowers. Some people know what flowers their mothers like, and tend to choose those. Others choose flowers that have a special meaning.

Mother's Day is a time to recognize all the special things that moms do for their children. Children will usually pick out special presents for their mothers. Often the fathers are enlisted to help choose the gifts, which range from flowers to jewelry to clothing.

Jarvis did not intend the holiday to take on so much unintended significance. Although the day is not celebrated as she had initially intended, her goal of creating a holiday based around honoring mothers was still accomplished. Unfortunately, Jarvis will never realize this
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Every year, Mother's Day flowers and Mothers day gifts get sold out for Saturday delivery, so be sure to shop for your special gifts well in advance.
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