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History of Mother’s Day for Kids

Do you know the history of Mother’s Day. Today, I’m sharing homeschooling tips and kids printables on the History of Mother’s Day for kids. Each year we celebrate mothers; however, very few people know its history. So, I researched the history and I thought I would share it with you.

First, the history of Mother’s Day can be taken back to Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis who was born in Culpeper, Virginia, September 30, 1832. She moved to Philippi, WV with her mother and father. Ann’s father was a Methodist minister who was transferred to the area.

Next, Ann later married the son of a Baptist minister. She became known as Mother Jarvis. Her husband ran a mercantile and she was a Appalachian homemaker who taught Sunday School. Furthermore, she lead a Mother’s Day Work Club who’s mission was to teach mother’s how to eliminate unsanitary living conditions. Additionally, she taught them how to take care of their children safely. After Mother Jarvis’ husband passed away, she moved to Philadelphia with to live with her daughter and to be close to her sons. Sadly, Mother Jarvis passed away in 1905 from heart problems.

Anna Jarvis Founder of Mother’s Day:

Anna Jarvis, Mother Jarvis’ daughter, was the founder of Mother’s Day. She attended the Augusta Female Seminary in Staunton, Virginia. Today it is known as Mary Baldwin College. After Anna completed college, she returned to her mother in West Virginia. She worked in the school system and became involved in church.

History of Mother’s Day:

Several years after Anna’s mother passed away, she held a memorial ceremony to honor her and all mothers at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. The church built a shrine and dedicated it to all mothers in the church on May 10, 1908. Anna did not attend, but she sent 500 white carnations for those who did. From there the idea of honoring mothers annually became a mission for her. Anna Jarvis spent countless hours working to have Mother’s Day recognized as a holiday. During her campaign, the holiday spread throughout the United States and internationally. In 1914, Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother’s Day a national holiday.

Print my History of Mother’s Day Fact Sheet and use as a part of your homeschool or extra educational activities.

Emblem of Mother’s Day

Furthermore, the white carnation is seen as the emblem of Mother’s Day. In Anna Jarvis’ words, “Its whiteness is to symbolize the truth, purity and broad-charity of mother love; its fragrance, her memory, and her prayers. The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies. So, it symbols mothers hugging their children to their hearts, their mother’s love never dying. “When I selected this flower, I was remembering my mother’s bed of white pinks”. – Anna Jarvis.

Popular Flowers for Mother’s Day:

Tulips – Meaning perfect, love and charity
Roses – meaning love and appreciation
Daffodils – meaning rebirth and new beginnings
Gladiolus – meaning strength of character and integrity
Orchids – meaning love and rare beauty
Lilies – Meaning virtue, prosperity and motherhood

Finally, you have the history of Mother’s Day. And, I wish each mother a Happy and Blessed Mother’s Day. My children will be visiting this week, and my son-in-law will be preparing dinner for all the mothers in the family. This act is a token of his love for me and a reminder of my greatest role, a mother.

The History of Mother’s Day

Have you ever wondered how Mother’s Day came about? I’ve wondered, so I decided to do some research. The day originated in my state, West Virginia. I was surprised to discover that fact. A lady by the name of Anna Jarvis of Grafton, WV started Mother’s Day. The history of Mother’s Day tells us that it originally started as a memorial to Anna Jarvis’ mother. She passed away in 1907. Knowledge is power and knowing the history of Mother’s Day is empowering.

She decided to campaign to make it a nationally recognized holiday. In 1914, she succeeded. Furthermore, by 1920, Anna Jarvis had become disappointed with the holiday. She spent the rest of her life campaigning against it. As with everything in this country, it had become too commercialized. Businesses were promoting flowers, greeting cards and boxes of chocolates for Mother’s Day gifts. They were profiting from what was supposed to be a simple day to recognize mothers and all that they had done in their role.

As a matter fact, Anna was so upset with their greed that she was actually arrested for disturbing the peace while protesting. She stated that she wished she had never started the holiday. Most importantly, she had become so bitter as a result of the commercialization, she died in poverty. She also died unmarried and without children. What a sad ending to what started as a beautiful tribute to her mother.

I agreed that we are the most commercialized country in the world. We tie a dollar bill to anything and everything. Statistics show people spend approximately $2.6 billion on flowers and $1.53 billion on pampering spa treatments, manicures and pedicures for Mother’s Day.

The history of Mother’s Day remains an important part of American History. Although Anna Jarvis became frustrated, I think people should be able to spend their money how they choose. If recipients of the gifts enjoy them, that makes the gift even better. We all have a choice, buy or not buy. I guess if I was in Anna Jarvis’ shoes, my thoughts may be different. The best Mother’s Day gifts are at home dinners with my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

As a matter of fact, I believe that we as mothers have a very important role in raising our children and grandchildren. Just as important, mothers shouldn’t just be recognized on the second Sunday of May. After all, we are mothers 356 days a year 24 hours a day for the rest of our life.

So, there we have the history of Mother’s Day. Finally, I hope that you spend the day relaxing and doing what you enjoy, and if you get a chance leave me a comment on yours thoughts of Anna Jarvis and Mother’s Day. You may also like 15 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.