Honoring mothers is a tradition that dates back centuries. According to Britannica School, “festivals honoring mothers and mother goddesses date to ancient times.” In the United States, honoring mom became popular thanks to a social activist from West Virginia named Anna Jarvis. Britannica School reported that Jarvis heard her mother say, “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mothers day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life,” her mother said. “She is entitled to it.”
After her mother’s death in 1905, she began a letter writing campaign to garner support for such a holiday. It was to be held on the second Sunday in May, which was when Jarvis’ mother died. Within several years, the celebration grew and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
In modern times, we celebrate moms, grandmothers, aunts, and other motherly figures in our lives. This year's Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 11.
Let the library help you celebrate that special figure in your life!
Make her something special! Visit our free online resource, Creativebug, to find more than 1,000 online art and craft classes. If you want to cook up a memorable brunch, check out these cookbooks or find a recipe she'll love in NYT Cooking. You can also cuddle up and read a picture book about Mother’s Day.
Thank you to all of the moms, grandmothers, aunts and other motherly figures in our lives. Happy Mother's Day!
Online Resources
- Take your mother to a museum, science center, zoo, theatre, or other cultural destination. Get your pass at Discover & Go.
- Discover more about your mother, grandmother and foremother through our Genealogy Resources.
- Watch a great movie with her via Kanopy.
