History of Mother's Day
The earliest Mother's Day celebrations can be traced back to those in ancient Greece that honored Rhea, the mother of the gods. During the 1600s, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday," which honored the mothers of England. As Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration changed to honor the "Mother Church." Over time the two celebrations blended to honor both mothers and the church.
In the United States Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic) as a day dedicated to peace.
In 1907 Ana Jarvis began a campaign to establish a national Mother's Day. She persuaded her mother's church in Grafton, WV to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her mother's death (the second Sunday of May) and began to write to ministers, businessman, and politicians in their quest to establish a national Mother's Day. By the year 1911 Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.
While many countries of the world celebrate their own Mother's Day at different times throughout the year, there are several countries that also celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May.
Source: Holidays on the Net
Mother's Day Traditions
The carnation, which has become a familiar part of Mother's Day, was introduced and supplied at the first church service held by Ana Jarvis. Carnations were chosen by Ms. Jarvis because of her mother's fondness for them. The flowers were immediately accepted as appropriate for the occasion. In time, red carnations became the symbol of a living mother, while white ones were worn as a sign that one's mother had died.
Mother's Day is the second most popular floral holiday behind Christmas/Chanukah. Flowers continue to be an ideal expression of love and appreciation for Moms, wives, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and friends for this holiday. Cut flowers, outdoor bedding and garden plants, and flowering houseplants are among the most popular gifts.
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