The history of Mother's Day is an interesting story. The second Sunday in May was trademarked as “Mother’s Day” by a young woman named Anna Jarvis. She set aside this day in order to pay tribute to her mother and other mothers around the world. This day was, and is supposed to, recognize the undying devotion mothers have to children and families. It is a day when many of us want to find a way to express a personal tribute to motherhood.
Two years after her mother’s death, Anna began a relentless campaign to honor her mother and her mother’s accomplishments throughout her life. Supporters were gathered and letters were written to express the importance for a “National Mother’s Day.” Anna was a fluent speaker, and she used that talent to gather supporters in her cause.
By 1909, 45 states including Canada, Hawaii, Mexico and Puerto Rico observed the day and held appropriate services. In 1911, almost every state in the Union observed and celebrated Mother’s Day. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it as a national holiday, in 1914, and officially set aside the second Sunday in May to honor all mothers. This set the official day and took away the question of “when is Mother’s Day?”
Anna was also very persistent that the term should be Mother’s Day as opposed to Mothers’ Day. This was because she believed it was a day for families to observe their mother, not for the world to observe mothers as a whole. Today, however, the singular possessive term (Mother’s Day) is just as common as the plural possessive (Mothers’ Day) term.
Red and White carnations were worn on Mother’s Day. Carnations were chosen since they were her mother’s favorite flower. A white carnation was worn to symbolize mothers who had already passed, as they were meant to represent the purity of a mother’s heart. Red carnations were worn to honor a living mother. Mother's Day Gift Baskets
With the question, “when is Mother’s Day,” answered we can focus on showing gratitude and appreciation to mother. The purpose of Mother’s Day, by Anna’s beliefs, was to recognize the importance of mothers. This was supposed to be a day to show and express gratitude to the woman that gave birth to us and gave us life. It was also a day to recognize the many things mother’s do in our lives.
In the end Anna was more disappointed at the turn of events rather than proud. As her initial intent was simply to honor mothers, this was not how the nationally recognized day turned out. With all the commercialism put on the special day, she eventually regretted starting the tradition in the first place.
Now that there should be no question as to when is Mother’s Day, the focus can be on celebrating the special day. Though mothers are human just like the rest of us, and mistakes can be made by them as well, we would not be here had it not been for our mothers. Therefore, make this day a special day to honor the woman in your life who was a mother to you, and show her your appreciation and gratitude.
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