What Is Mothers Day?

Mother's Day is intended to be a day to celebrate motherhood. Many churches and families in the United States recognize the second Sunday in May to honor mothers.

Many years ago, England observed a day to honor mothers in mid-Lent that was called Mothering Sunday. In the United Kingdom, Mothers' Day is celebrated in March.

The first known suggestion of Mother's Day in the United States was in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe. She suggested that people observe the day on June 2 as a day dedicated to peace. Others around the country campaigned for a Mother's Day including Mary Towles Sasseen, Frank E. Hering, and Anna Jarvis. In 1908, Anna Jarvis of West Virginia began a campaign for a nationwide observance of Mother's Day. She chose the second Sunday in May and started the custom of wearing a carnation. If a person wears a colored carnation, their mother is is living. A white carnation signifies that their mother has passed away.

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a joint resolution of Congress recommending that Congress and the executive branch of government recognize the observance of Mother's Day.