Every year, Mother's Day is celebrated globally on the second Sunday in May to honor mothers worldwide.
This year, Mother's Day falls on May 12, providing a special occasion to recognize and appreciate the often overlooked contributions of mothers.
Let's delve into its origins, why it's observed on the second Sunday of May, and the reasons behind its founder's eventual regret.
How Mother's Day came into existence?
Anna Jarvis, inspired by her mother's compassionate work during the American Civil War, spearheaded the movement to establish Mother's Day as a national holiday in the US.
Her first formal celebration in 1908 honored her mother's memory and laid the foundation for a day dedicated to all mothers.
Why Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May?
Anna's tireless advocacy efforts led to widespread recognition, culminating in President Woodrow Wilson's declaration in 1914 of the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
Story of Anna Jarvis, the woman who regretted creating Mother's Day:
This commercialisation of the day horrified the founder, leading her to regret initiating the holiday and spend her remaining years campaigning to have it rescinded.
Mother's Day became really popular, especially by the 1920s, and companies started selling cards for it but Anna didn't like that because she thought it made the day less meaningful.
She didn't want people spending lots of money on fancy flowers, cards, and chocolates.
Anna tried really hard to keep Mother's Day special, which led to her own economic hardship as she spent every penny fighting the commercialization of Mother's Day.
Anna Jarvis died of heart failure in November 1948.
