The untold history of Mother's Day in the USA: How it began and what it means today

Out of all the special days observed throughout the year, Mother's Day holds a unique place in our hearts. A mere mention of the word mother evokes feelings of warmth, safety, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Every year, on the second Sunday of May, we pause to honour our mothers - the women who shaped us, nurtured us, and continue to be the silent strength behind our lives. This year, it's being celebrated on May 11, 2025. While the roots of Mother's Day go back to ancient times, it wasn't until the 20th century that it began to be officially celebrated in the United States, thanks to the efforts of a woman named Anna Jarvis .

Ancient history of Mother's Day
Mothers have been regarded as a powerful force since time immemorial. The tradition of honouring them dates back to ancient civilizations. The Greeks and Romans held festivals to pay tribute to mother goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele. In early Christianity, Mothering Sunday emerged as a religious observance, which eventually evolved into a more secular celebration of motherhood, especially in countries like the United Kingdom.

The celebration of Mother's Day evolved over time. In 19th century in the US, it stemmed from the idea of unifying the nation, supporting mothers and educating them. In the years leading up to the Covid War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia set up Mothers’ Day Work Clubs to teach proper childcare to local women and lend them support and guidance. These clubs helped unify the country still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day.” On this occasion, mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation,” according to History .com.

Around the same period, Julia Ward Howe, a prominent activist and author, called for women to rise up against war and promote peace in 1870. She envisioned a “Mother’s Day for Peace.” While her efforts to turn the day into an official holiday were not successful, she surely planted an important seed for future efforts.

How the modern day Mother's day was established

The modern Mother's Day owes much to Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. It was an ode to her mother. Deeply moved by her mother’s work and sacrifices, Anna organized the first official Mother's Day celebration in 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia.

She made great efforts to gain approval to recognise this day. She launched a national campaign to make Mother's Day official. Anna wrote countless letters and contacted influential figures like merchant John Wanamaker to make this happen.

Her efforts and dedication paid off and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation officially recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday, to be celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

While Anna Jarvis was the creator of modern day Mother's day, she was disheartened by how commercialized it had become. She had envisioned Mother’s Day as a personal, heartfelt occasion, not one defined by profit. Despite her objections, the holiday gained enormous popularity, evolving into a major event for businesses and families alike.

Today, Mother's Day has become a much-awaited and popular celebration. While it's celebrated in most countries like United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Philippines, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Italy, Turkey, China, Colombia, and Peru, many other countries celebrate it on a different date. The United Kingdom continues to observe Mothering Sunday before Easter, while countries like Thailand, Costa Rica, and Georgia each celebrate in their own way, reflecting their unique cultural values.