Maybe you bought her a gift. Maybe you ordered some flowers. Maybe you just gave her a call. It’s Mother’s Day, so chances are, you did something to tell your mom that you care. (If you didn’t, I’m sorry to say it’s probably too late by now.)
Though the sentiment is different, Mother’s Day looks a lot like Valentine’s Day from a commercial standpoint. It’s a flowers-and-candy field day, complete with cheesy poems and extravagant giving. Unlike Valentine’s Day, however, Mother’s Day isn’t just a greeting-card company conspiracy. The holiday has rich history that can be tentatively traced as far back as the Greeks and Romans.
Ancient Greeks paid homage to Rhea and Cybele, “mother of the gods” and “mother of the animals” respectively. Romans adopted Cybele as their own mother goddess, eventually renaming her Magna Mater, or the Great Mother. Romans celebrated Magna Mater annually with a springtime festival.
As Christianity spread and took hold in the 16th century, the holiday of “Mothering Sunday” emerged. Roman festivities were replaced with a celebration of the Virgin Mary on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
Over time, Mothering Sunday evolved into a celebration of “real mothers” as well, particularly those in the working classes. Working mothers were given a day off to relax and spend time with their families, who often lived far away from their places of work.
It wasn’t until 1870, however, that Mother’s Day took root in the United States. Julia Ward Howe, a writer and suffragist, penned a Mother’s Day Proclamation appealing to mothers all over the world. Howe wanted a day to honor mothers, but also to promote peace and international harmony.
Though Howe’s crusade never completely caught on, it was an inspiration to Anna Jarvis, who is credited with the holiday we celebrate today. Though Jarvis wasn’t a mother herself, she devoted her life to creating a Mother’s Day in honor of her own mother’s community service and dedication.
Jarvis lobbied tirelessly for years, and by 1911 many states celebrated Mother’s Day. On May 8, 1914, the holiday was officially declared nationwide by President Woodrow Wilson, and still takes place each year on the second Sunday in May.
Jarvis never sought a holiday of commercialization. In fact, she condemned it, and asserted that she “wanted a day of sentiment, not profit,” according to online research site, The Legacy Project.
Despite this, The National Retail Federation estimates that Mother’s Day spending in America this year will reach $21.2 billion dollars, the most in the 12-year history of the survey. Thanks to this trend, your mother will probably be disappointed if you don’t present her with a card, at the very least.
That’s okay, of course, but it’s also interesting to recognize that Mother’s Day is about more than just a vase of flowers and breakfast in bed. The holiday has a rich legacy of honor, peace and gratitude. Share a few facts with your mom, or just show her you care in a way that extends beyond a box of chocolates. Anna Jarvis would be proud.
For more information, check out Mother’s Day Central, a website devoted to the holiday.