THE ORIGINS OF MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day is a special occasion that celebrates the role of mothers in our lives. Every year, on the second Sunday of May, people across the world honour their mothers and mother figures with gifts, cards, and special gestures of appreciation. But how did this tradition begin? In this blog post, we'll explore the origins of Mother's Day and the woman behind it.

The origins of Mother's Day can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman cultures, where mother goddesses were revered and celebrated with festivals. However, the modern version of Mother's Day began in the United States in the early 20th century. The woman credited with starting this tradition is Anna Jarvis.

Anna Jarvis was born in 1864 in West Virginia, USA. She was deeply devoted to her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, who had organized several Mother's Day Work Clubs in the 1850s to improve sanitation and public health in their community. During the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis and her clubs cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the conflict. After the war, she organized a Mother's Friendship Day to bring together mothers from different backgrounds and promote reconciliation.

After her mother's death in 1905, Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her memory and continue her work. She started a campaign to create a national holiday to celebrate mothers, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

At first, Mother's Day was a simple celebration of mothers and their love. Anna Jarvis envisioned it as a day of quiet reflection and family gatherings, with children wearing carnations (her mother's favorite flower) and visiting their mothers. However, as the holiday became more popular, it also became commercialized.

Anna Jarvis became increasingly disillusioned with the commercialization of Mother's Day, which she felt had lost its original meaning. She criticized the greeting card industry, florists, and others who profited from the holiday, and even sued to try to stop a Mother's Day festival in her hometown.

Despite her efforts, Mother's Day continued to grow in popularity and became an official holiday in many countries. Today, it is celebrated in over 40 countries, although the date and customs may vary.

In conclusion, Mother's Day has a rich and complex history, rooted in the work of women like Ann Reeves Jarvis and her daughter Anna Jarvis. While the holiday has changed over time, its message of love and appreciation for mothers remains the same.

On this Mother's Day, let's take a moment to honour the mothers in our lives and reflect on the sacrifices they have made for us.

Look out for the Mother's Day Special Promotion