Who Founded Mother’s Day 2023: A Brief History
Introduction
Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate the love, care, and sacrifices of mothers around the world. It is celebrated on different dates in different countries, but the sentiment behind it remains the same. However, do you know who founded Mother’s Day? In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of this special day and the person who is credited with its creation.
The Origins of Mother’s Day
The origins of Mother’s Day can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans, who celebrated festivals in honor of mother goddesses. In the 16th century, the Christian church began celebrating Mothering Sunday, a day to honor the Virgin Mary and all mothers. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that Mother’s Day became an official holiday.
The Founder of Mother’s Day
The person credited with founding Mother’s Day is Anna Jarvis, an American social activist. Anna’s mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, was a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides during the American Civil War. After her mother’s death, Anna wanted to create a day to honor all mothers and their sacrifices.
The First Mother’s Day
The first Mother’s Day was celebrated on May 10, 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia. Anna Jarvis organized a memorial for her mother at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, where her mother taught Sunday school. She also sent 500 white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower, to the church to be distributed to all the mothers in attendance.
Becoming an Official Holiday
Anna Jarvis continued to promote Mother’s Day as a national holiday, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. The holiday quickly became popular, and soon, other countries began celebrating it as well.
The Commercialization of Mother’s Day
Unfortunately, as Mother’s Day became more popular, it also became more commercialized. Anna Jarvis was outraged by the commercialization of the holiday and spent the later years of her life fighting to have it removed from the calendar. She believed that Mother’s Day should be a day for families to spend time together, not a day for buying gifts and cards.
The Legacy of Mother’s Day
Despite the commercialization of Mother’s Day, the sentiment behind it remains the same. It is a day to honor the love, care, and sacrifices of mothers everywhere. Whether it is a big celebration or a simple gesture, taking the time to show your appreciation for your mother is what matters most.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mother’s Day is a special day to honor and celebrate mothers around the world. Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, created this holiday to honor her mother and all mothers. Although the holiday has become commercialized over the years, the sentiment behind it remains the same. So, take the time to show your appreciation for your mother, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.
Question & Answer
Q: Who founded Mother’s Day?
A: Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, is credited with founding Mother’s Day.
Q: When was the first Mother’s Day celebrated?
A: The first Mother’s Day was celebrated on May 10, 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia.
Q: Why did Anna Jarvis create Mother’s Day?
A: Anna Jarvis created Mother’s Day to honor her mother and all mothers for their love, care, and sacrifices.
