Mother's Day is Peace
Some historians have traced Mother's Day to the time of ancient Greeks and Romans. During special days dedicated to various gods, a particular festival was held honoring two goddess mothers, Rhea and Cybele.
Other historians claim the founding of Mother's Day to a Christian festival, named "A Mothering Sunday." Its origin can be found in the Early Middle Ages and is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent in various parts of Europe even today. Numerous theologians contend however this day is not to be confused with the more secular idea of "Mother's Day," recognized annually in the United States.Mother's Day as we know it, became a national holiday through an anti-war protest in 1914. Led by mothers in the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, it quickly gained national attention. Although U.S. declaration of war on Germany was only a few years away, the birth of this annual event had long been underway. But wait, there was additional evidence! Heartfelt stirrings of a Mother's Day promoting peace, had started decades before, in 1870. Julia Ward Howe, known for writing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," promoted a "Mother's Peace Day."
Howe asked women to "...gather in parlors, in churches, or in social halls. Take time to listen to sermons and essays. Sing hymns, pray, in the name of promoting peace." (Note: Pacifism received great popularity during this era.)Why 1870?
The Civil War brought results both good and bad. Slaves were now free from their chains and soon able to become American citizens. Yet the cost of freedom came at great price to our country. With the population of the U.S. approximately 31 million at the beginning of the war, over 620,000 would sacrifice their lives for rights and freedom of all. Two percent of the entire United States population would be lost in only four short years. (Note: more Americans died in the Civil War than WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War combined. If the names of all Civil War military personnel were arranged like the Vietnam Memorial, they would have to expand the wall ten times the present size.)
By 1911, individual states were celebrating Mother's Day. Yet it was 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson lobbied to give Mother's Day a federal proclamation. Congress approved Mother's Day announcing it would be celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May.
Nine years prior a woman named Anna Jarvis had started a movement to recognize mothers who had lost members of their families in war through the designation of a national holiday. The movement got the attention of President Woodrow Wilson.Anna Jarvis had been inspired by her own mother Ann Jarvis. Her mother had cared for wounded on both sides during the latter part of the Civil War. She worked fervently to orchestrate peace between mothers of the North and South. She started a "Mother's Friendship Day," encouraging compassion toward one another, regardless of the color of their uniform.
The passing of Anna's mother in 1905 devastated her. The sympathy cards were overwhelming and the gratitude for all the compassion and service her mother had given during such strenuous times were still deeply appreciated by many, decades later. Anna picked up where her mom had left off, promoting a day of recognition for all mothers.
Mother's Day found great popularity after its national day was declared by Congress on April 2, 1914. The popularity quickly expanded throughout the world. After the Germans had lost in WWI, letters from a German soldier written to his mother while in front line battle, were found in a chest of a small upstairs bedroom. These letters brought national attention.
"Dear Mother, War is Hell. The smells are putrid. Imagine dead bodies, human waste, and men who have not showered in months. Many of us have trench foot. I wonder if you could send me some clean dry socks. Mine are horrendous." Love, Karl.
When the war was over, here was a P.S. added to the bottom of another letter Karl had written.
"Dear Mother, I finally received your care packages. When I received them, all I could do is laugh, and the delivery man joined in. Unfortunately, someone got to them before I could. All that is left was the packing paper." Love, Karl.
Today, Germany joins numerous countries in a national Mother's Day recognition.
Anna Jarvis faced adversity after Congress had approved Mother's Day. Jarvis was adamantly against business commercializing this national event. Candy manufacturers, greeting card companies, and floral shops sought revenue from this deeply emotional day.
Anna referred to the commercialism by various business and churches as "Christian pirates." Speaking at a public event, she explained "If the American people are not willing to protect Mother's Day from the hordes of money schemes that would overwhelm it with their numerous schemes, then we shall cease having a Mother's Day..."
Anna Jarvis never profited from Mother's Day. Despite numerous opportunities, she refused to use her status as a founder of Mother's Day for personal gain.
Anna passed away penniless at age 84 years of age, living in Marshall Square Sanitarium. She thought the white carnation should be the official flower for Mother's Day. It had been her mother's favorite. In 1927, Anna explained, "The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying."Anna Jarvis never married nor had any children.
"God could not be everywhere,
And therefore he made mothers."
Rudyard Kipling
