On the second Sunday in May, American children of all ages treat
their mothers to something special. It is the one day out of the year
when children, young and old, try to show in a tangible way how much
they appreciate their mothers.
England was one of the first countries to set aside a day to
recognize mothers. In the eighteenth century when many people worked
as household servants for the rich, "Mothering Sunday" was reserved
for them to return home to be with their mothers. Though this custom
stopped when the Industrial Revolution altered the working and living
patterns of the people, one Sunday for Mothers was established as a
holiday in the twentieth century.
In the United States, Mother's Day did not become an official
holiday until 1915. Its establishment was due largely to the
perseverance and love of one daughter, Anna Jarvis. Anna's mother had
provided strength and support as the family made their home in West
Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where her father served as a
minister. As a girl, Anna had helped her mother take care of her
garden, mostly filled with white carnations, her mother's favorite
flower. When Mrs. Jarvis died on May 5, 1905, Anna was determined to
honor her. She asked the minister at her church in West Virginia to
give a sermon in her mother's memory. On the same Sunday in
Philadelphia, their minister honored Mrs. Jarvis and all mothers with
a special Mother's Day service. Anna Jarvis began writing to
congressmen, asking them to set aside a day to honor mothers. In 1910,
the governor of West Virginia proclaimed the second Sunday in May as
Mother's Day and a year later every state celebrated it.
On Mother's Day morning some American children follow the tradition
of serving their mothers breakfast in bed. Other children will give
their mothers gifts which they have made themselves or bought in
stores. Adults give their mothers red carnations, the official
Mother's Day flower. If their mothers are deceased they may bring
white carnations to their grave sites. This is the busiest day of the
year for American restaurants. On her special day, family members do
not want Mom to cook dinner!