Contrary to popular legend, Mother’s Day is not a “made up” holiday created by the gift card industry.

It actually had its beginnings thousands of years ago and today Mother’s Day is a recognized observance in most countries around the world. How the day is celebrated does vary significantly, but the goal is the same: Mother’s Day is for recognizing and honoring mothers.

Early Beginnings

How did it all begin? There are lots of different theories, but most likely the origin of honoring motherhood started in ancient Greece, where an annual spring festival centered on Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. The celebration was probably held around the time of the Vernal Equinox, March 15 to March 18.

Historians also note that the early Romans had a holiday they called Matronalia, which was dedicated to the goddess Juno. On this day, mothers were often given gifts.

In England, early Christians celebrated a Mother’s festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent (the 40-day period leading up to Easter). The festival honored Mary, the mother of Christ. Over the centuries, it evolved into a day that honored all mothers, and it became known as “Mothering Sunday.” Servants were given the day off and it became a common day for families to hold reunions.

Mothering Sunday was probably not celebrated in colonial America and it wasn’t until 19th century that the roots of what we know as modern-day Mother’s Day started in the United States.

Modern Roots

Julia Ward Howe, a poet and the author of the lyrics to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, wrote what she called a “Mother’s Day Proclamation.” A pacifist and suffragist, Julia’s message was one of peace. Her proclamation singled out women because she felt that they suffered greatly from war and military conflict. Unfortunately, her idea of a Mother’s Day for Peace generated little support at the time.

Julia Ward Howell’s crusade might have been influenced by a young homemaker, Ann Jarvis, from the hills of Appalachia. Starting about 1858, Ann Jarvis had worked with women for many years to improve sanitation and economic conditions for people in their community. She called them “Mother’s Work Days.”

After Jarvis died, her daughter, Anna Jarvis, started a movement to found a memorial day for women. The first Mother’s Day celebration took place in 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia. It was in a local church where the elder Ann Jarvis had taught Sunday school, and Anna handed out her Mother’s favorite flower – a white carnation.

An Official Day for Motherhood

Anna wrote hundreds of letters to members of Congress and prominent businessmen, asking them to support a special day to honor motherhood. Her hard work paid off and the concept of Mother’s Day flourished and spread across the country – soon it was celebrated in 45 states.

In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a joint resolution of Congress that declared the second Sunday in May as a national annual observance in honor of mothers.

Anna Jarvis lived until 1948, and she became increasingly disenchanted with the commercialization of Mother’s Day. She had envisioned the day as one of reflection and quiet prayer, and the reality saddened her greatly.

Even with Anna’s disapproval, Mother’s Day has flourished over the years and has evolved into one of the most popular holidays around the globe.

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