The Heartfelt Story Behind Mother’s Day You Didn’t Know

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Mother's Day was created in 1908 by Anna Jarvis, and it became an official U.S. holiday in 1914.

The National Women's History Alliance describes how Mother's Day evolved:

"Anna Jarvis was only twelve years old in 1878 when she listened to her mother teach a Sunday school lesson on mothers in the Bible. “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial Mother’s Day,” the senior Jarvis said. “There are many days for men, but none for mothers.”

"Following her mother’s death, Anna Jarvis embarked on a remarkable campaign. She poured out a constant stream of letters to men of prominence — President William Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt among them — and enlisted considerable help from Philadelphia merchant John Wannamaker.

"By May of 1907, a Mother’s Day service had been arranged on the second Sunday in May at the Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where Mother Jarvis had taught. That same day a special service was held at the Wannamaker Auditorium in Philadelphia, which could seat no more than a third of the 15,000 people who showed up.

"The custom spread to churches in 45 states and in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Mexico and Canada. The Governor of West Virginia proclaimed Mother’s Day in 1912; Pennsylvania’s governor in 1913 did the same. The following year saw the Congressional Resolution, which was promptly signed by President Woodrow Wilson."

The legendary late Alabama Head Football Coach adlibbed a line in a telephone company add that lives today as a reminder of the importance of mothers. At the end of the 30 second commercial Bryant added, "Have you called your mama today? I sure wish I could call mine."

Mother’s Day has endured. This is a day to honor the multiple ways women find to nurture their families, many while working one or more jobs.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!