The story of Mother's Day is a long one. It is neither a recent phenomenon as many people believe it to be. Nor it is the creation of card and gift marketers syndicate as assumed by cynics of Mothers Day festival. To the surprise of lot many people Mother's Day celebrations are first said to have taken place in the time of ancient Greeks and Romans hundreds of years ago. Even Mother's Day celebrations in UK began much before the tradition saw the light of the day in US. In US the efforts of Ms Julia Ward Howe and Ms Anna Jarvis are greatly recognised for starting the tradition of Mother's Day but several other women too made remarkable contribution to further the cause of Mother's Day holiday.
Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in more than 46 countries around the world though at different times in the month of May and in some countries it is celebrated in entirely different times of the year. In the present time, Mother's Day has come to be internationally recognized as the day to honor all mothers and thank them for the services they impart for the benefit of their individual child and consequently to the development of mankind. Please read on and click on the links to know more about the related Mothers Day stories.
Mother's Day Story: Celebrations in the time of Greeks and Romans
The tradition of Mothers Day started with the ancient Greeks who celebrated their annual spring festival in honor of Rhea, the mother of many Gods and Goddesses in the Greek mythology. Ancient Romans too celebrated a spring festival by the name of Hilaria in honor of Cybele, a mother goddess, some 250 years before Christ was born.
Mother's Day Story: Celebrations in UK
In UK, Mothers Day celebrations started by the name of Mothering Sunday, several years before the tradition found its roots in UK. Mothering Sunday came to be celebrated following the practice in UK of 17th century wherein children of poor families were send to work as apprentice and domestic servants with the rich. These children were allowed to visit their 'Mother Church' or the Cathedral of their home town annually in the middle of the fasting month of Lent. Children met their mothers after visiting the church and presented them with flowers and special 'Mothering Cakes'. The custom received a set back with the advent of Industrial Revolution when the lifestyles changes. American soldiers contributed in the revival of the tradition after the World War II.
Mother's Day Story: Genesis of the Festival in US
The story of Mother's Day in US began with the efforts of a dynamic writer and poetess, Julia Ward Howe in 1872. An activist to the core Julia utilized her potentials to further the cause of Mothers Day. She wrote a powerful Mother's Day Proclamation in Boston in 1870 and demanded declaration of official holiday and celebrations on Mothers Day. Her idea gained popularity but she could not get the idea implemented. Julia is also credited for penning words for Civil War song, "Battle Hymn of the Republic".
Mother's Day Story: Struggle of Anna Jarvis
A loving daughter from West Virginia, Anna Jarvis is recognised as a 'Founder of Mothers Day' and 'Mother of Mothers Day'. Anna kept the word of her activist mother, Mrs Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis who once expressed a wish that someone should strive to provide mothers their due recognition.
Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mothers Day from her own mother Mrs Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis in her childhood. An activist and social worker, Mrs Jarvis used to express her desire that someday someone must honor all mothers, living and dead, and pay tribute to the contributions made by them.
A loving daughter, Anna never forgot her mothers word and when her mother died in 1905, she resolved to fulfill her mothers desire of having a Mother's day. Growing negligent attitude of adult Americans towards their mothers and a desire to honor her mothers soared her ambitions.
Anna sent Carnations in the church service in Grafton, West Virginia to honor her mother. Carnations were her mother's favorite flower and Anna felt that they symbolised a mothers pure love. Later Anna along with her supporters wrote letters to people in positions of power lobbying for the official declaration of Mothers Day holiday. The hard work paid off. By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state in the Union and on May 8, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
History of Mother's Day: Present Day Celebrations
Today Mother's Day is celebrated in several countries including US, UK, India, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan and Belgium. People take the day as an opportunity to pay tribute to their mothers and thank them for all their love and support. The day has become hugely popular and in several countries phone lines witness maximum traffic. There is also a tradition of gifting flowers, cards and others gift to mothers on the Mothers Day. The festival has become commercialised to a great extent. Florists, card manufacturers and gift sellers see huge business potential in the day and make good money through a rigorous advertising campaign.
It is unfortunate to note that Ms Anna Jarvis, who devoted her life for the declaration of Mothers Day holiday was deeply hurt to note the huge commercialisation of the day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY to all mothers, grandmothers, mothers-to-be and also those who want to be mothers. God bless you all.
38 comments to THE STORY BEHIND MOTHER'S DAY
-
Ummie A mother was given an apple with written words - 'forgive me, ma'.
The kid bought it for rm1.50 from his teacher.
-
Unknown Dear Angelina
Here's wishing your Mama a very Happy Mother's Day!! You are a good girl!!!
Take care and may your Mama have a great Mother's Day!
Salam
-
Unknown Dear Ummie
*speechless*
While I laud the kid's action, I reserve my comment for the teacher!
Here's wishing you a VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Have a fantastic day, Ummie!
Salam
-
nick Sis,
A very happy mother's day! Is it too hopeful to wish for blogger's day in the future? Maybe for Malaysia at least when UMNO and BN is finally voted out of power and out of Malaysian politic.
Sorry for inserting some politics in your non-politic post but time is critical and we need to spread the word where ever and when ever we can.
Anyway, GOD bless, Sis and may today brings prosperity to all mothers and in the future as well.
Nick.
-
edward Dear MWS,
Wish you a joyous and happy Mother's Day. May your special day be filled with endless laughter and many memorable moments. Enjoy!
Blessings,
Edward
-
Boleh Man Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the world!
You are GREAT!
-
Ting Mother's Day celebrations have been very commercialized in recent years!
-
Village Boy No one is more wonderful than a mother. And there is nothing more noble than a mother's heart.
Happy Mother's Day!
-
Anonymous The economic quagmire of the Malays is not only occurring in Penang but also in other states, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
Well, Yakcop. What have the BN Ketua Menteri & Menteri Besar been doing over the past 53 years?
The rakyat have given you 53 long years!
Happy Mother's Day.
Oh yes, I remember seeing Yakcob's eyes filled with tears while relating something great about his mother. Am I right?
-
Anonymous “A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking.”
~~ Helen Rice
-
Penangite Yakcob said the situation in Penang was more challenging than in other states to the extent that the Penang Malay backwardness was perceived as a Penang phenomenon.
Is Yakcob trying provoke a storm of **** in Penang? Or is he aiming for the Chief Minister post?
May God bless all the Penangites
-
LionGirl Not everyone gets a mother that is being painted by the world in general but that does not stop one from loving their mother. Somehow, sometimes a love hate relationship is because one expects too much or hopes for too much that when it did not turn up as everyone says it would be, it turned to comparison and then to hate and question of why my mother is different from people's?
A bit controversial huh? But it is facts of life.
But a mother still deserves a Happy Mother's Day wish for the 9 months she needs to carry her child to life on earth.
To all mothers for the labour pain they have to go through in the name of love or duty or responsibility to bring a new life to this world!
-
HotDogg I want to dedicate a song to my Aunty Paula. It goes like this...
Aunty Paula is a mom, E.I.E.I.O.
Being a mom she still had time, E.I.E.I.O.
To blog blog here and blog blog there
Here a blog there a blog
Everyday a-blog a-blog
Aunty Paula is a mom, E.I.E.I.O.
And in her blog she writes a bit, E.I.E.I.O.
Of politics, economics
Here a bit, there a bit
Everyday a bit, bit
Aunty Paula is a mom, E…I…E…I…O!!!
Happy Mother’s Day Aunty Paula!!!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
-
Anonymous One woman can change anything. Many women can change everything.
-
Anonymous Dear Ummie,
I wonder if teachers in this Bolehland sell apples?
Anyway, I did come across teachers recruiting students for their tuition classes!
Any comment from our Mr Moo, the Minister of Education, hehehe...
-
Anak Melayu Nowadays, teachers are more interested in giving tuition to their own students, and earn much much extra income! Isn't this very unethical?
-
Anonymous “Most victims are women. What do women do? They go to the hairdressers ... they chit-chat and suddenly it is everywhere and cause people to fear,” Hishammuddin said.
HisapPuting, mind your words, please!
-
Unknown Dear Nick
Many thanks for your Mothers' Day Greetings.Here's wishing your wife and mother a very wonderful Mothers' Day too!
Oh yes! We must have a Bloggers' Day too!
No worries - we really have to raise awareness anytime and anywhere!
May you be blessed over and over for your kind and sincere heart, dear friend.
Take care and have a blessed week!
Salam
-
Unknown Dear Edward
Thank you for your kind and heartfelt wishes. Likewise, I hope your wife had a beautiful celebration with the family.
I had a great day eating a lot haha!
Do take care and may your family be always blessed by our Father in heaven.
Have a wonderful week!
Shalom
-
Unknown Dear Boleh Man
Thank you very much for your wonderful wishes and tremendous encouragement.
Your readership, comments and support mean a lot to me and I am thankful to have you injecting your wise input into my blog ever so often.
Take care and God bless you and yours always!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Ting
The love for money and profit has blurred the true meaning of Mothers' Day.
Isn't it sad?
Anyway, here's wishing you a great Mothers' Day and a blessed week.
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Village Boy
I know not who you are except that you are a real sincere reader who has shared so many wise comments and observations in my blog faithfully over the past few months.
Your comment today tells me that you must be a very filial and godly son/father and friend!!! Your loved ones are blessed to know you and your mom has indeed blessed you LOTS!
Thanks for your well wishes.
Take care and may God bless you always.
Shalom
-
Unknown Dear LC Teh
Thanks, LC TEh! Here's wishing your wife and mom the same. I am sure you all had a great day!
Take care and have a blessed week!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Anon @ 9.31 am
Thank you for sharing this with us. Tan Sri Nor is from Penang and a former Xaverian...
Actually, I do not remember reading about him sharing about his mom but I am sure she must have been a great woman in her own way.
53 years of tolerance is a long time and I hope things will get better...
Take care and have a blessed evening. Thanks so much for your Mothers' Day wishes too!
Do keep in touch!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Anon @ 11.38am
Thank you so much for that beautiful quotation by Helen Steiner Rice.
As a teenager in the 1970's, I remember I used to love her poetry and inspirational writings.
Take care and God bless your kind heart.
Do keep in touch!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Penangite
Thanks for that thought-provoking comment! Do take care and let's hope for the best for Penang and Malaysia.
God bless you!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear LION GIRL
Thanks for such an honest and candid comment! Indeed what you have shared is part and parcel of the delicate mother-child relationship which can be so beautiful and yet can sometimes tear us apart.
Here's wishing that you and yours had a wonderful bonding time for Mothers' Day and everyday.
Thanks for stopping by! Do keep in touch!
Salam
-
Unknown Dear Anon @ 1.04pm
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and simple message - that your mom left a living legacy in you.
May you continue to bless those around you with her words...
God bless you. Take care and please keep in touch!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Little Corgi
Awww!!! That is such a sweet song!!! Thanks a bunch, pal!!!
You are a real canine friend!!!
And you have put me and my blog in a nutshell LOL!!!
That is woofderful!!!
Thanks for sharing your unique creativity. We are blessed indeed! Take care and have a great week!!
Woof! Woof!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Anon @ 3.41pm
Thank you - and men can too!
Take care and may you have a blessed week. Thanks so much for sharing. Do stay in touch!
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Anon @ 3.50pm
I know of some who threaten students to recommend other students to their tuition classes before they leave.
Teaching is not about making $$ but transforming minds, changing lives and helping our students to be more than what they think they can be!!!
Some of my best friends are my former students from the 1980's!
That is definitely dividends....
Take care and have a good week.
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Anak Melayu
Agree! As I wrote in my previous comment, teaching is not about dollars and cents but about touching lives and doing so much more within the four walls of the classroom.
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Anon @ 7.51 pm
If not for the fact that I had a real busy day today, I would have blogged about that. Maybe tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing!
Take care and have a good week.
Cheers
-
Unknown Dear Frankie
Lovely to hear from you again. Hope you had a great celebration with your family. Thanks for the Mothers' Day wishes. Take care and please keep in touch!
Shalom
Cat-from-Sydney Aunty Paula,
We woke Mama up this morning and sang "Shower with Your Love"...in the hope that she'll cook up a storm for us today....We brought her brekky in bed - toast, coffee and fruits - her favourite. purrr....meow!