How did Mother's Day originate?

Answer 1

No one can really pin this one down, but here are some thoughts: Festivals honouring mothers and mother goddesses date to ancient times. The Phrygians held a festival for Cybele, the Great Mother of the Gods, as did the Greeks for the goddess Rhea. Likewise, the Romans adapted the practice to their own pantheon. During the Middle Ages, the custom developed of allowing those who had moved away to visit their home parishes and their mothers on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. This became Mothering Sunday in Britain, where it continued into modern times, although it has largely been replaced by Mother's Day. In its modern form, the day originated in the United States, where it is observed on the second Sunday in May. The American version of Mother's Day was started by Julia Ward Howe (see Related Link) after the American Civil War.

Many other countries also celebrate the holiday on this date, while some mark the observance at other times of the year. Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women's groups to promote friendship and health, originated Mother's Day; on May 12, 1907, she held a memorial service at her late mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within five years virtually every state was observing the day, and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday.

Answer 2

No one can really pin this one down, but here are some thoughts:

Festivals honouring mothers and mother goddesses date to ancient times. The Phrygians held a festival for Cybele, the Great Mother of the Gods, as did the Greeks for the goddess Rhea. Likewise, the Romans adapted the practice to their own pantheon.

During the Middle Ages, the custom developed of allowing those who had moved away to visit their home parishes and their mothers on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. This became Mothering Sunday in Britain, where it continued into modern times, although it has largely been replaced by Mother's Day.

In its modern form, the day originated in the United States, where it is observed on the second Sunday in May. The American version of Mother's Day was started by Julia Ward Howe (see Related Link) after the American Civil War.

Many other countries also celebrate the holiday on this date, while some mark the observance at other times of the year. Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women's groups to promote friendship and health, originated Mother's Day; on May 12, 1907, she held a memorial service at her late mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within five years virtually every state was observing the day, and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday.