With so many folks celebrating Mother’s Day in the U.S., here’s a quick reminder of its origins and how the true meaning of Mother’s Day has evolved over time!
On the second Sunday in May, millions of folks in the U.S. and across the world shower the mothers in their lives with cards, flowers, and breakfast in bed.
But the history behind the holiday we celebrate today is far richer (and far more complicated) than a Hallmark card might suggest. In fact, Mother’s Day as we know it in the U.S. didn’t come from a single person or moment. It evolved over decades, shaped by the work and visions of several remarkable women.
So what is the true meaning of Mother’s Day? What are we actually celebrating, honoring, and remembering? Let’s dive into some of the history!
Note: Different versions of Mother’s Day are celebrated around the world by different cultures, and each holds its own special meaning. In this article, we are tracing the origins of the holiday as it is celebrated in the U.S. But here’s a glimpse at unique Mother’s Day traditions from other parts of the globe!
Where did the original Mother’s Day come from?
This is a tricky question because like many efforts in history, it wasn’t one person who was solely responsible for the first Mother’s Day. But in the United States, its origins trace back to the late nineteenth century around the Civil War era.
Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe–a Boston poet and women’s rights advocate best known for wrote what’s now known as the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Her piece was originally titled “Appeal to womanhood around the world” and was meant to bring women and mothers together internationally in the pursuit of peace and unity.
(For context, if you think back to this time in history, this was in the aftermath of the Civil War and at the onset of the Franco-Prussian War.)
Howe believed that mothers understood better than anyone the true cost of human life. And she felt they were uniquely positioned to prevent the senseless destruction of war.
For several years, she successfully organized a Mother’s Day for Peace in Boston and a few other cities. But eventually, that first iteration of Mother’s Day faded from public consciousness.
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The next iteration of Mother’s Day…
Around the same time, a West Virginian woman named Ann Jarvis was also organizing and advocating for women and mothers. She lived in an Appalachian community that was severely impacted by disease and was later torn apart by the Civil War.
Jarvis organized what she called “Mothers’ Work Clubs” to improve local sanitation and public health. When the war divided her neighbors, she insisted that the women’s groups she led provide care to soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
In 1868, she brought together families from both the Union and Confederate sides in a “Mother’s Friendship Day,” a remarkable act of bridge-building in a deeply wounded community. The day didn’t quite come together during her lifetime, and she passed away in 1905.
Thankfully, her daughter Anna made it her mission to honor her mother’s legacy by establishing a national day of recognition for mothers everywhere. Anna didn’t have children of her own, but she campaigned tirelessly to bring her mother’s vision to life.
She wrote letters to presidents, politicians, and prominent figures. By 1907, groups of people in Philadelphia and West Virginia held special Mother’s Day services that drew massive crowds.
The movement finally gained momentum, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother’s Day a national holiday. This is the Mother’s Day that we now observe on the second Sunday in May.
The evolution of Mother’s Day and its commercialization
Anna Jarvis had envisioned the holiday as a deeply personal, heartfelt tribute. She specifically urged people to write sincere, handwritten letters to their mothers rather than purchasing pre-printed cards.
But as the holiday grew in popularity, so did its commercialization. Florists, candy companies, and greeting card businesses quickly capitalized on the occasion. This essentially transformed what Anna had intended as a “holy day” into something entirely different.
She actually grew so disillusioned that she actually petitioned to have the holiday abolished in 1943.
Mother’s Day in the 21st century
Today, Mother’s Day has evolved into one of the most widely-observed holidays in the U.S. and abroad.
In fact, here’s a look at when countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day!
While the flowers and brunches and store-bought cards would likely horrify Anna Jarvis, for many, the spirit at the heart of the holiday remains.
At its core, Mother’s Day has always been about recognizing the many ways mothers and caregivers nurture not just their own families, but their communities and the broader world.
And as any twin mom knows, that kind of nurturing deserves to be recognized way more than one day a year!
Want to read more about Mother’s Day? Check out these articles too:
- What MOM Really Wants for Mother’s Day
- Awesome Mother’s Day Gifts for Every Mom
- Best Gifts for Twin Moms: A Complete Guide with 35+ Ideas
