History of American Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating and honoring the mother figures in our lives. In the United States, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May. This year of 2024 it will be celebrated on May 12. However, the date of Mother’s Day can vary across the world. For instance, in the United Kingdom, it is celebrated on “Mothering Sunday,” which is the fourth Sunday of Lent. In Thailand, Mother’s Day is observed on August 12, which is the birthday of former Queen Sirikit. Other countries like Japan, Italy, and Brazil also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May (mother’s day gift ideas under $100).

The celebration of mothers and motherhood dates back to ancient times, with festivals honoring mother goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele. In the U.S., Mother’s Day gained prominence in the 20th century, thanks to Anna Jarvis. She organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration in 1908. Anna Jarvis advocated for a holiday that honored the “sacrifices mothers made for their children.” By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson designated it a national holiday.

Anna Maria Jarvis was born in Webster, West Virginia to Granville E and Ann Maria Jarvis. She was the ninth of eleven Children. Her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, was a social activist and the founder of Mother’s Day Work Clubs. Ann’s faith and dedication to community service left a lasting impact on Anna.

In 1876, during a Sunday school lesson, Ann Reeves Jarvis expressed a hope that someone would establish a memorial Mother’s Day to honor mothers for their selfless service to humanity. Encouraged by her mother, Anna attended the Augusta Female Seminary (now known as Mary Baldwin University), where she completed two years of coursework. After college, Anna worked in the public school system in Grafton, West Virginia, maintaining a close connection with her mother. Later, she moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, working as a bank teller, and then to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she found success at the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Anna’s inspiration came from her mother’s desire for a day to honor mothers. After Ann Reeves Jarvis passed away, Anna took up the cause. On May 10, 1908, Anna organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. She tirelessly campaigned for the commemoration of mothers and their invaluable contributions to society. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mother’s Day a national holiday.

Over time, Anna became disenchanted with the commercialization of Mother’s Day. She did not personally profit from the holiday. In a surprising turn, she even tried to rescind Mother’s Day due to its commercialization. Anna Jarvis spent her final years in the sanitarium, with her medical bills paid by people in the floral and greeting card industries.

Anna Jarvis’ legacy endures as we continue to celebrate and honor mothers worldwide on this special day.

Mother’s Day is also an opportunity for us to express love and gratitude to the remarkable women who play a vital role in our lives. We can show our appreciation by spending quality time with them or doing something special for them, like cooking their favorite meals, cleaning, or running errands, to show our gratitude. If you’re far away, a heartfelt phone call or a sweet message can make their day to remind them how much they mean to you. You can also consider giving thoughtful gifts, writing heartfelt cards, or surprising them with flowers. Below are some recommendations of thoughtful gifts that you can choose based on personalities and characters, or even budget, to express your love and gratitude for all the care and support provided.