All About Mother's Day
Have you ever wondered why mothers' day
is celebrated the second Sunday of every May? Do you want to know some
things you can do to make Mother's Day extra special? Read on for the
answer to these questions and more.
Did Mother's Day begin in the United States?
No. Long, long, ago, in ancient Greece, the people paid tribute
to Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, each spring. A little later in history
it is noted that England paid homage to mothers on "Mothering Sunday,"
the fourth Sunday of Lent.
In 1872, Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the Battle hymn
of the Republic) suggested the idea of Mother's Day, but it was Miss
Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948), of Philadelphia, who began a letter-writing
campaign to a variety of influential people that made Mother's Day a
national holiday.
Why did Miss Jarvis think it was so important to have Mother's Day?
Miss Jarvis was very close to her mother Mrs. Anna Reese Jarvis.
Anna's mother died in May of 1905, when Anna was 41 years of age. Anna
was not married and from the time of her mother's death cared for her
blind sister, Ellsinore. Anna missed her mother very much and felt that
children should appreciate their mother's more while they're still
alive. Anna hoped Mother's Day would increase respect and love and
strengthen family bonds.
So when was the first Mother's Day?
In 1907 Anna persuaded her mother's church in Grafton, West
Virginia to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her
mother's death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year, 1908, Mother's
Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia.
In 1910 the first Mother's Day proclamation was issued by the
governor of West Virginia. Oklahoma celebrated Mother's Day that year
also. By 1911 every state observed Mother's Day. The Mother's Day
International Association was incorporated on December 12, 1912, with
the purpose of furthering meaningful observations of Mother's Day.
When did Mother's Day become official?
In May, 1913, The House of Representatives unanimously adopted a
resolution requesting the President, his Cabinet, members of Congress,
and all officials of the federal government to wear a white carnation on
Mother's Day. Congress passed another Joint Resolution May 8, 1914,
designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
On Mother's Day the U.S. flag is to be displayed on government
buildings and at people's homes "as a public expression of our love and
reverence for the mothers of our country." President Woodrow Wilson
issued the first proclamation making Mother's Day an official national
holiday.
Many people give roses on Valentines Day, is there a particular flower I should give my mom on Mother's Day?
Miss Anna Jarvis's mother's favorite flower was the white
carnation. This flower was chosen to represent the sweetness, purity and
endurance of mother love. However, the red carnation has since become
the symbol of a living mother while white signifies that one's mother
has died.
Do other countries celebrate Mother's Day?
You bet they do! Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and
Belgium celebrate Mother's Day on the same day as the United States.
Other countries celebrate Mother's Day as well, though not on the same
day.
What can I do to make Mother's Day special for my mom?
There are all kinds of things you can do to make Mother's Day special for your mom. Here are a few suggestions:
Make mom breakfast in bed.
Do secret acts of kindness, this might include doing one of mom's chores for her.
Be obedient.
Do your chores, without being asked.
Get along with your brothers and sisters.
Leave a love letter, for mom, on her pillow.
Do secret acts of kindness, this might include doing one of mom's chores for her.
Be obedient.
Do your chores, without being asked.
Get along with your brothers and sisters.
Leave a love letter, for mom, on her pillow.
Spice up the Mother's Day festivities with an activity or two.
Interview your mother and/or grandmother. Ask questions about her
birth, childhood, and what she did when she was a teenager. Find out
favorite subjects in school, how she met your father or grandfather.
Inquire about her favorite job. What were circumstances and events like
when you were born? End the interview by expressing your love for her.
Get together with a few other families and play the Mother/Child
Game. Divide into four mother/child teams. Ask the mothers to leave the
room while the children sit in chairs. Ask the same four or five
questions to each child about their mothers. Bring in the mothers and
ask them the same questions. Will the mother and child have the same
answers? Switch places and see how well the mother's know the children.
Award a red carnation to the winning mother/child team.
Question Ideas: Favorite color, movie, candy bar, color of
toothbrush, memorable moment with you, best friend, hobby, talent, food,
animal, cartoon, pizza topping, ice cream topping, restaurant. Most
embarrassing moment. Favorite holiday.
