The History of Mothers Day

The use of the term Mother's Day is a comparatively modern one, at least compared to Mothering Sunday, which is the UK equivalent, and has a very different origin dating back many centuries. Mother's Day is an American celebration, celebrated on the second Sunday in May every year.

American President Woodrow Wilson declared the first official Mother's Day in 1914, after a campaign lasting several years to have a special day each year to recognize the important role of women in American society. A lady called Anna Jarvis had started a move towards a memorial day for mothers as early as 1858, but it was her daughter, of the same name, who inspired the first, but local, Mother's Day celebration in 1908. At that time, Mother's Day was was intended as a day for promoting peace

Once Mother's Day became nationally endorsed by the President, it was only a few years before commercialization of the holiday took over. Today, the day has little significance in recognizing the achievements of women or promoting peace, and many just dismiss it as a "card" day, in other words a day created to encourage the sale of Mother's Day cards.

Today, Mother's Day is a big commercial occasion, but at least it does tend to focus people's attention on their mothers, even if they forget about them or take them for granted the rest of the year. Far from the original intention, but perhaps better than nothing at all.