Every year, children (regardless of age) set out to send gifts or do something special to thank their mothers for all that they have done and keep doing for them on the occasion of Mother's Day. While one day is not really enough to acknowledge a mother's contribution, a woman by the name of Anna Jarvis decided that at least a day should be dedicated to mothers.
It all began in last 1800s in West Virginia. The beautiful Jarvis set off on a campaign that not only left her bankrupt, but paved way for a day for mothers across the world. According to an article written by People, it all began when her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis passed away in 1905.
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Senior Reeves was known for her commendable work which included fighting the increasing infant mortality rate and her initiation of Mother's Friendship Day. The day dedicated to the mother was an attempt to mend the enmity between Union and Confederate loyalist mothers in West Virginia.
"This coincided with the efforts of one Julia Ward Howe (who wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic") to prod women into a more active peacekeeping role in politics with a "Mother's Day Proclamation" that she issued in 1870," People magazine wrote.
While she worked towards bringing about a change, it was her death that pushed Anna to begin the movement. It is reported that Anna did not take her mother's demise too well and spent time rereading sympathy cards and letters that spoke good about her mother. This led to the birth of Mother's Day somewhere between 1907 (as reported by The New York Times) and 1908 (by many other sources).
In 1912, Anna trademarked the phrases Second Sunday in May and Mother's Day, and established the Mother's Day International Association. In 1914, it was officially established by President Woodrow Wilson that the second Sunday in May will be celebrated as Mother's Day.
Anna inaugurated one of the holiday's traditions by sending 500 white carnations, her mother's favourite flowers, to her mother's house in West Virginia. The flower went on to become a symbol for the holiday.
"The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying," Jarvis explained in a 1927 interview.
The holiday eventually began spreading its wings, taking many more states, countries and traditions under its cover. Today, families celebrate Mother's Day with special wishes but also attempt to make it a memorable occasion for families by planning special something for their loving mothers.
This year, Mother's Day falls on May 14. What have you planned for your mothers? Let us know in the comments section.
