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The tradition of setting aside a day to honor mothers dates back to the ancient
Spring festival of the Romans. This celebration evolved to become
"Mothering Sunday" in England, observed on the fourth Sunday in
Lent. In the United States, Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by
Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the Battle hymn of the Republic) as a
day dedicated to peace. Ms. Howe would hold organized Mother's Day meetings in
Boston, Mass every year.
in 1908 Ana Jarvis, continuing her late mothers work, began a letter writing
campaign to gain the support of influential ministers, businessmen and
congressmen in establishing a national Mother's Day. She felt
children often neglected to appreciate their mother enough while the mother was
still alive and hoped Mother's Day would increase respect for parents and
strengthen family bonds. Jarvis persuaded her mother's church in Grafton,
West Virginia to celebrate Mother's Day on the anniversary of her mother's
death, May 10th.
Carnations, her mother's favorite flowers, were supplied at that first
service by Miss Jarvis. White carnations were chosen because they represented
the sweetness, purity and endurance of mother love. Red carnations, in time,
became the symbol of a living mother. White ones now signify that one's mother
has died.
Her plan succeeded. On May 8, 1914. President Woodrow Wilson signed a
Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as an official national
holiday, Mother's Day. He declared the U.S. flag is to be displayed on
government buildings and at people's homes "as a public expression of our
love and reverence for the mothers of our country."
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