Mother's Day: History of the Celebration

A history of the holiday honoring mothers, beginning with ancient times.

Some choice words on motherhood, mothers, mothering and family. Some of them are serious, some more light-hearted. Find a quotation to honor your mother or just to ponder motherhood.

The founder of Mother's Day thought that buying a commercial card wasn't enough to honor mothers. Read some ideas about how you might honor Mother's Day more in the original spirit.

Find some famous mothers of history -- including some called "mother" for their work in the wider world.

Originally a 17th century custom, the holiday was revived after World War II.

The earliest American celebration of mothers came with the Mothers' Work Days in West Virginia in 1858.

Who was Anna Jarvis and how did she work to establish a national Mother's Day in the United States?

Where did the idea of using carnations on Mother's Day come from?

Anna Jarvis was the founder of the current US Mother's Day.

Julia Ward Howe, author of the 1870 Mother's Day Proclamation, in articles and other material on this site, plus net links for more resources.

Howe, famous for her words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, worked for a Mother's Day for Peace after the Civil War ended. (Part of a longer article.)

Julia Ward Howe, author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, tried to establish a Mother's Day for Peace in the 1870s.

From Julia Ward Howe, this Mother's Day Proclamation stressed a mother's role in peace.

While Mother's Day is celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday in May, when is it celebrated in other nations and cultures?

Each year, the president proclaims Mother's Day. Here is the text of the 2009 proclamation of Mother's Day.

Some statistics to put perspective on Mother's Day.

A special listing of Mother's Day articles from this About Women's History Guide and by other Guides at About. From history to how to entertain, from famous mothers of history to some humorous takes.

Selected gifts that would be appropriate for Mother's Day, with a women's history theme. Women through the ages are honored in this collection.

From About's Guide to Parenting Teenagers, a humorous take on Mother's Day preparations. (Or is it serious?)

A New York Times article from May, 2000, explores various movements built around the power of motherhood, especially the Million Mom March and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.