Mother’s Day is the day for everyone to give the mothers in their lives some extra special attention. Now that does not mean just your own mother, but everyone you care about who is a mother (trust me on this). Of course your top priority is to show your own mother how much you care about her, but don’t forget that the day is for wives, grandmothers, in-laws, and significant others as well.


Ancient Origin

As with several holidays, there are roots for Mother’s Day that are found in ancient Roman tradition. Although the customs and ideas have changed substantially, there is a logical connection between the practices of the ancients and the holiday that exists today.

The tradition that most closely resembles current mother’s day observance is found in the Roman celebration of Matronalia—a festival for the goddess Juno (goddess of childbirth). Although this celebration was in honor of the goddess Juno, it also had a human element. Mothers were honored at home with gifts from their husbands and children. According to the custom, husbands also offered prayers for their wives on the occasion. Matronalia was a ritualistic celebration, but it possessed some traditions that are practiced today.


From Roman Tradition To Christianity

A second Roman tradition found its way into modern culture through the acceptance of Christianity in England. The Romans who already held ceremonies involving Cybele (the “Mother of the Gods”) altered the symbolism of the tradition to include Roman Catholicism and the virgin Mary. In time, the significance of Mary was emphasized as the mother of Christ, and the Christian perspective began to replace the old ways of goddess worship. This was the beginning of what came to be known as “Mothering Sunday in England.”


“Mothering Sunday” in England

By the 17th century, Mothering Sunday in England had become an annual day for workers to break from their labor to return to the “Mother Church” in the town that they called home. This event took place on the 4th Sunday of the Catholic observance of Lent. This religious respite from work also provided a time to visit family (in particular mothers). Gifts and flowers for mothers became customary on Mothering Sunday. The once strictly religious tradition evolved into an annual opportunity to honor mothers. Now Mothering Sunday in England is observed in a similar manner to Mother’s Day in America with flowers, gifts, and pampering on mother’s special day.


Mothers Day in the United States

The first reference to Mother’s Day in the United States stands on a historical marker in Albion, Michigan. The story says that a reverend was unable to complete his sermon on the second Sunday of May in 1877, because his son had been harassed on the previous night and compelled to spend the night in a saloon. A Mrs. Juliet Calhoun Blakely completed the sermon for the reverend that day. Her sons were impressed with their mother’s courageous act of standing at the pulpit to deliver a sermon in place of the reverend. They honored her and encouraged others to honor their mothers on that day. (4)


Julia Ward Howe

Another worthy mention in the attempt to start a Mother’s Day is Julia Ward Howe. Being influenced by the violence and savagery of the Civil War, she held in her heart the need for peace. She became an activist against war and the terrible effects it has on all who are affected by it. Her experiences inspired her to write “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 1862.

The devastation and ugliness of war continued to affect Julia Ward Howe even after the Civil War ended. She became convinced of the need for a Mother’s Day for Peace. In 1870, she wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation which called women of all nationalities together to unite against war in the interest of peace.  Julia Ward Howe’s call for a Mother’s Day for peace did not materialize in a lasting way, but it did spark interest and attention to mothers and the need of a day to recognize them.


Anna Jarvis

Anna Jarvis is credited by many for the establishment of Mother’s Day in the United States. Her story is one of both influence and irony. Anna Jarvis committed much of her energy in life to the promotion of a day to honor mothers, but shortly after a Mother’s Day holiday was established, she became one of the most vocal opponents of the idea.

Childhood
Anna Jarvis was born on May 1, 1864 in West Virginia. Anna was proud of her mother for her contributions to their large family and to others outside the home. Her mother had worked during the civil war with nursing services and in improving sanitation for both Northern and Southern soldiers. At one time it is alleged that Anna her mother request a day to honor mothers in a prayer.

Honoring Her Mother
In 1905, Anna Jarvis’ mother died. Anna sought a way to honor her mother and to fulfill the wishes that she had expressed while alive. In 1908, Anna convinced the minister of the Andrews Methodist Church to hold a service in honor of her mother and all mothers. The church held its first “Mother’s Day” service on May 10, 1908. White carnations were passed out to those in attendance in memory of Anna’s mother and her favorite flower.

Fighting for Mother's Day
Anna was convinced that more could be done to honor mothers. She petitioned politicians to create a day to honor mothers on a broader level. Although progress came slowly, her efforts paid off. On April 10, 1910, the Governor of West Virginia, William Glassock, proclaimed the second Sunday of May as “Mother’s Day” in that state. The holiday caught on this time with the purpose of honoring the nations mothers. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that made Mothers Day a national holiday.

Mother's Day Catches On
Mother’s Day quickly became a huge success in the United States. It was not long before gifts and flowers for mothers were being bought off of the shelves as fast as they could be returned to them. Commercialization was a side effect that Anna Jarvis had not anticipated. She wanted the holiday to be one of affection and honor for mothers, but not one of purchases and monetary measurement.

Fighting Against Mother's Day
By 1923, Anna Jarvis was a vocal opponent of Mother’s Day and the commercialization that had merged into the holiday. She railed against Mother’s Day with the same passion she used to establish its existence. In the 1930’s her disapproval of what Mother’s Day had become was expressed to the point that she was arrested for disturbing the peace in an attempt to prevent the sale of flowers. All of her frustration was of little consequence, however, because Mother’s Day had already entered the mainstream of American celebration.


A Special Day for Mothers

In present time, Mother’s Day is considered a very special day for mothers. Although it seems that those who have attempted to establish a “Mother’s Day” in the past did not get what they wanted, it is fair to say that mothers are treated better on the holiday than on any other day of the year. It is a day that everyone tries a little harder to show mother how important she is and how much she is appreciated by the family. It is admittedly a day of cards, flowers, gifts, and store bought rewards; but as a mother, you have to take whatever fringe benefits you can get in the job.

Mother's Day Treat - Our Secret Holiday Recipe
If you want to impress mom with a great treat, see our recipe for
"Choco Mommas" chocolate chip cookies. They are easy to make, and wonderful to eat!

Bring Mom a treat with our Kids 4 Kids Mother's Day Dining Flower Craft.


- Article by Wes Fessler

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