“Mother’s Day”, one of the widely celebrated events all over the world, is dedicated solely to “Mothers”. Mothers make the earth beautiful with their angelic presence and their sacrifices towards us cannot be described in words. To mark a momma darling’s unconditional love, we all celebrate Mother’s Day. On this day, we show our concern towards her through different ways right from sending Mother’s Day gifts to reserving a day especially for her. But, did you know Mother’s Day story? How has it been started? Let’s dig out history to know more about it.
The story of this day’s celebration is a long one. It’s neither a current phenomenon as many of us believe it to be nor it’s the resultant of the gifts and cards marketers association as assumed by the misanthropists of this day. It has been said that Mother’s Day celebration has first appeared in the time of ancient Romans and Greeks hundreds of years ago. Even in United Kingdom, this celebration began much before it appeared in the United States. In the United States the great efforts of Ms. Anna Jarvis and Ms. Julia Ward Howe are hugely recognized for kicking off the tradition of Mother’s Day, however, several other women also contributed remarkably to this cause.
At present, Mother’s Day is commemorated in more than 46 nations all over the world though at different interval of times in the month of May & in some other countries it is observed completely at different times of the year. Today, it has become internationally renowned as the day to honor all momma darlings and thank them for their unconditional services they impart for the sake of their family and the development of mankind.
It is believed that the ancient Greeks started the tradition of Mother’s Day by commemorating their annual spring celebration in the honor of Rhea- the mother of many Gods & Goddesses as per the Greek mythology. Ancient Romans also observed a spring festival- “Hilaria” to honor the Cybele- a mother goddess, some around 250 years before the birth of Christ.
In United Kingdom, the celebration started with the name of Mothering Sunday, many years before the custom found its roots in United Kingdom. Mothering Sunday happened to be started following the tradition in UK of 17th century wherein kids of poor families were sent to work as apprentice, as well as domestic servants for the rich. These kids were allowed to take a visit to their “Mother Church” or the Cathedral of their hometown once in a year during the fasting month of Lent.
Children used to meet their moms after visiting the Church and provide them Mother’s day flowers and special “Mothering Cakes”. With the advent of Industrial Revolution, this custom received a setback. However, after the World War II, American soldiers contributed considerable in the revival of this tradition.
The genesis of Mother’s Day in US is said to be fueled by the efforts of Julia Ward Howe, a dynamic writer and poetess in 1872. An activist by nature, Julia applied her potentials to further highlight the cause of Mother’s Day. She wrote an influential Mothers Day proclamation in 1870 in Boston & insisted on declaring Mother’s Day as the official holiday. Her idea attracted everyone’s attention, however; she couldn’t get this idea to be implemented. Julia is also accredited for writing Civil War song, "Battle Hymn of the Republic".
Anna Jarvis, a loving daughter belonging from West Virginia, is famous as the “Founder of Mothers Day” & the “Mother of Mother’s Day”. She inspired by the word of her mother, Mrs. Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis an activist who once wished that somebody should come forward & provide mothers their due appreciation. After her mother’s death in 1905, Anna became strong-minded and along with several supporters she began lobbying for the official leave and holiday on Mother’s Day. She wrote several letters to the people in authority for this cause. To celebrate this special day, Anna began to send her mother’s favorite flowers- carnations in her nearby church requesting everyone to wear them to honor their mothers. This idea gained huge popularity by passing years and in 1910, West Virginia became the very first state to celebrate Mother’s Day holiday. On May 8, 1914, there was a Joint Resolution signed by then President Woodrow Wilson to designate the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
These are the stories related to Mother’s Day, hope you got the idea how it was started.
