Mother's Day: May 9, 2005

Mother's Day is a celebration of motherhood and a day of rest for mothers. On this special day, mothers are treated to breakfast in bed, enjoy special meals made in their honor, and receive cards, chocolates, and flowers.

In the United States, Julia Ward Howe suggested the idea of Mother's Day in 1872. Howe, who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, saw Mother's Day as being dedicated to peace.

But it was Anna Jarvis, of Philadelphia, who is credited with bringing about the official observance of Mother's Day. Her campaign to establish such a holiday began as a remembrance of her mother, who died in 1905. Jarvis' mother had, in the late 19th century, tried to establish "Mother's Friendship Days" as a way to heal the scars of the Civil War.

Two years after her mother died, Jarvis held a ceremony in Grafton, West Virginia, to honor her. She was so moved by the proceedings that she began a massive campaign to adopt a formal holiday honoring mothers.

In 1910, West Virginia became the first state to recognize Mother's Day. A year later, nearly every state marked the day. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother's Day as a national holiday.

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