The history of Mother's Day
The holiday known as Mother's Day celebrates mothers and motherhood. Numerous nations celebrate it every year on various dates. Mother's Day can be traced to ancient Greece and Rome, where mother goddesses were celebrated at festivals. However, Anna Jarvis, an American activist who wanted to honor her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis, is credited with creating the modern version of Mother's Day. The mid-19th century saw the establishment of women's clubs by Anna's mother, a social activist who wanted to see better conditions for sanitation and health. She also established Mother's Day Work Clubs to instruct women in child care. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother's achievements when Ann Reeves Jarvis passed away in 1905, so she planned a tribute for her in 1908. Almost 400 people came to this memorial service, which was held at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. The next step was for Anna Jarvis to advocate for a nationwide Mother's Day holiday in the US. M...