Mother's Day

Did you know...Mothers have been thanked throughout history, but it wasn’t until 1914 that President Wilson made it an official national holiday in the United States. The Greeks first celebrated Rhea, the Goddess of Motherhood in a spring festival. The ancient Romans made their tribute to Cybele, the “Great Mother of Gods." Next, the Christians began celebrating the fourth Sunday of Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ.
In 1858 a woman named Anna Jarvis organized “Mother’s Work Day” or “Mothering Day” in the state of West Virginia to bring attention to the poor living conditions of her Appalachian neighbors. In 1870, Julia Ward Howe wrote and delivered the Mother’s Day Proclamation at the London Women’s Peace Conference. Howe believed women have a social responsibility to influence society towards peace. In 1872, the term “Mother’s Day for Peace” was first used and became the precursor for the present Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis died in 1905 and her daughter, also named Anna, continued her work. After a memorial to her mother in 1907, she began lobbying business men and politicians for a national day honoring mothers. With the help of businessman John Wannamaker, her campaign was successful. Take a look at the proclamation from President Wilson. It reads rather plain and simple, but it is a day we never forget.

Happy Mother’s day, Moms.

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