Mother's Day is a holiday honoring the care and devotion of mothers. Mother's Day, in the United States, is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. In 2010, Mother's day falls on Sunday, May 9th.
Mothers are often honored with a special Mother's Day breakfast or brunch, gifts, and flowers.
History of Mother's Day
Activist Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis began Mothers Day Work Clubs to help West Virginia communities improve poor health and sanitation conditions preceding the Civil War. The group went on to become caregivers during the war, to both Union and Confederate soldiers. By the time the Civil War ended, Jarvis created "Mother's Friendship Day," and invited all the soldiers and their families to the event. After her death in 1905, her daughter, Anna Jarvis, campaigned to make Mother's Day an official holiday, in honor of her mother and other mothers everywhere. Mother's Day was officially declared by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 as a day for Americans to show honor to mothers who had lost their children to war.San Bernardino County Sun: Mother's Day - History and Fun Facts (May 5, 2006)
Commercialization of Mother's Day
By 1923, Mother's Day had turned into a holiday that was being exploited for commercial purposes. Anna Jarvis went as far as suing to stop an event on Mother's Day and was even arrested for protesting the sale of flowers. Jarvis tried to stop her mother's image from being used on a postage stamp and the use of the words "Mother's Day."MothersDayCentral.com: The Complete History of Mother's Day
Featured Video
Mother's Day Around the World
Wikipedia: Mother's Day in various parts of the world
MothersDayCentral.com: When is Mother's Day 2007?
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Can be dated back to the ancient Greek festival of Cybele, the mother of the GodsSan Bernardino County Sun: Mother's Day - History and Fun Facts (May 5, 2006)
-
Fact:
England began celebrating "Mothering Sunday" in the 17th centuryThe World Almanac for Kids: Mother’s Day
-
Fact:
"Mothering Sunday was celebrated on the fourth Sunday during LentThe World Almanac for Kids: Mother’s Day
-
Fact:
Founded by Anna Jarvis, daughter of social activist Ann Maria Reeves JarvisThe World Almanac for Kids: Mother’s Day
-
Fact:
The elder Jarvis organized Mothers' Day Work Clubs during the Civil WarThe World Almanac for Kids: Mother’s Day
-
Fact:
President Woodrow Wilson declared May 5th Mother's Day in 1914
-
Fact:
Many countries celebrate "Women's Day" rather than "Mother's Day"
-
Fact:
Traditional Mother's Day gifts include flowers, jewelry, or a personalized Mother's Day card
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Mother's Day is the third-largest annual occasion where greeting cards are sentSan Bernardino County Sun: Mother's Day - History and Fun Facts (May 5, 2006)
