 | Mother’s Day is one of the favorite holidays in the USA. Mother’s Day celebration origins possibly rise from the spring holidays which the inhabitants of the ancient Greece devoted to Rhea, gods’ mother. Since 1600 the custom of ‘Mothering Sunday’ celebration appeared in England. That day falling on every forth Sunday of Lent was determined to honor mothers.History of this holiday kept some interesting facts. For example, at that time many English paupers worked as domestic servants for the rich people. As they often worked far from their families, they had to live in their employers’ homes. “Mothering Sunday” was set for them as a day off in order to let them go and stay with their mothers. The holiday symbol was a particular cake presenting to a mother in token of respect.
After spreading Christianity throughout Europe the holidays were held in honor of the Mother Church – a symbol of a spiritual power giving life and protection from danger. Later the Mother Church Day and Mothering Sunday had been celebrating as one holiday. People honored their mothers as devoutly as the church.
In the USA Mother’s Day was publicly supported for the first time in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe, an author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Having called upon to devote this day to peace, she arranged a mass demonstration in honor of Mother’s Day every year in Boston.
In 1907 Anna Jarvis from Philadelphia launched a campaign for Mother’s Day establishment as a national holiday. Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia, into honoring Mother’s day on her mother second death anniversary that is the second Sunday in May. Next year Mother’s day was also celebrated in Philadelphia.
Anna Jarvis and her followers began writing to congressmen, businessmen, and politicians asking them to establish Mother’s Day as a national holiday. Their efforts were crowned with success as in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the Mother’s day to be a national holiday celebrating every year on the second Sunday in May.
People also honor their mothers this day in Germany, Finland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium. The other countries celebrate this holiday on different days of the year.
In the USA Mother’s Day takes the fifth place by popularity after St. Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, and Christmas Day. This day American children of all ages regardless of their relationship with parents have to call on mom, to give a symbolic present to her, and stay with her for some time.
Written by Liza82
Submitted by Liza82 |  |
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