Happy Mother's Day

President Woodrow Wilson declared the very first observance of Mother's Day. In 1914, he officially deemed the second Sunday of May to be the day for its celebration.

A Bit of Mother's Day History...

Credit for the idea of a "Mother's Day" is divided between Julia Ward Howe (1872) and Anna Jarvis (1907). Julia Ward Howe is best known for the penning of a song that is just as patriotic today as when it was first written. The song, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” In 1870, Howe - the well-known abolitionist, still grieving over the Civil War and angry about the start of the Franco-Prussian War, began to envision a new cause, a rallying of the world’s women to rise up and unite for peace. Out of her discontentment came the first line of a poem called “A Mother’s Day Proclamation.”

The inception of Mother's Day focused on reasons much different from that which is celebrated today. Being born in the aftermath of the Civil War, it was a rallying cry for women worldwide to oppose war and fight for social justice. This was long before Mother’s Day became an international celebration of cards, bouquets, brunches, and gifts—a one-day momfest that here in the U.S. has grown into a $20-billion-dollar-a-year industry—this holiday was rooted, at least, here in America, in “radical feminism” and progressive Christianity.

As for today, it is not just about flowers, candy, gifts and such but about honor and remembrance of Mothers. For those whose Mothers are still living, pick up the phone. The sound of a voice can have a much greater impact that any monetary gift.

To all Mothers, near and far...