We all know that Mothers' Day is a special celebration of our maternal heroes. A day to give thanks -- and flowers and cards and breakfast in bed -- to the women who raise children. But where did it come from, and what does it all mean?
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first official Mothers' Day celebration, we decided to dig up some cold, hard truths about our basic conceptions of the holiday.
Find out what the holiday is all about -- plus what mom REALLY wants for Mothers' Day -- by scrolling down below.
1. Not to be a downer, but the original Mothers' Day was a day of mourning, not celebration.
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In the 1850s, Ann Reeves Jarvis, founded Mother's Day work clubs as a way for Civil War mothers to mourn their fallen sons. They also organized to tend to wounded soldiers.
2. After the Civil War, Mothers' Day became a political initiative for women to organize peace rallies.
Sitting around getting breakfast in bed, these women were not! In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, a suffragist and pacifist, issued a "Mother's Day Proclamation" to encourage women to become more politically involved in peace movements.
3. Originally, the day was meant to be "Mother's Day," not, "Mothers' Day."
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Today it's common for people to wish their wives, sisters and daughters a "Happy Mothers' Day," if they have children. But when Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, campaigned for a Mother's Day after the death of her own mother in 1905, it was meant to be a holiday for children to celebrate only their own mothers -- not to collectively celebrate mothers as a society.
4. Soon after it became a national holiday in 1914, Mothers' Day quickly became commercialized.
Like, REALLY quickly. By 1920, Anna Jarvis, who had fiercely advocated for the creation of the holiday, became disgusted with the consumerism associated with the holiday . She began speaking out against florists, confectioners, and card companies
5. Now, each American buys an average of 2.8 Mothers' Day cards per year.
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We'd hate to be the one getting that 1/8 of a card.
6. Mothers' Day even trumps Valentine's Day in Google searches for "Flowers."
![]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
However, you might not want to get your mom white carnations. Back in the day, that color sometimes indicated that your mom had passed away, while colorful carnations meant she was still living.
7. This year, 75 million Americans will spend money on dining out.
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The American Restaurant Association reports that the holiday is the most popular day of the year to dine out.
8. Overall, we'll collectively spend around $20 billion dollars.
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So much for a small, intimate celebration.
9. But, guess what?! That expensive gift? NOT EVEN WHAT MOM WANTS.
According to The Today Show, "Many moms... said what they’d REALLY love was a day in which they could spend time with their families while the house magically got clean and dinner magically was cooked."
10. We know, we know. The truth hurts.
![Happy Mothers Day!]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
Better make that two.
11. But even if Mother's Day has become a celebration of consumerism, moms still deserve appreciation on their special day.
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Yes, especially if they wear Mom Jeans.
BECAUSE MOMS ARE AWESOME.
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Happy Mothers' Day!
All GIFs via Giphy.com
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first official Mothers' Day celebration, we decided to dig up some cold, hard truths about our basic conceptions of the holiday.
Find out what the holiday is all about -- plus what mom REALLY wants for Mothers' Day -- by scrolling down below.
1. Not to be a downer, but the original Mothers' Day was a day of mourning, not celebration.
In the 1850s, Ann Reeves Jarvis, founded Mother's Day work clubs as a way for Civil War mothers to mourn their fallen sons. They also organized to tend to wounded soldiers.
2. After the Civil War, Mothers' Day became a political initiative for women to organize peace rallies.
Sitting around getting breakfast in bed, these women were not! In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, a suffragist and pacifist, issued a "Mother's Day Proclamation" to encourage women to become more politically involved in peace movements.
3. Originally, the day was meant to be "Mother's Day," not, "Mothers' Day."
Today it's common for people to wish their wives, sisters and daughters a "Happy Mothers' Day," if they have children. But when Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, campaigned for a Mother's Day after the death of her own mother in 1905, it was meant to be a holiday for children to celebrate only their own mothers -- not to collectively celebrate mothers as a society.
4. Soon after it became a national holiday in 1914, Mothers' Day quickly became commercialized.
Like, REALLY quickly. By 1920, Anna Jarvis, who had fiercely advocated for the creation of the holiday, became disgusted with the consumerism associated with the holiday . She began speaking out against florists, confectioners, and card companies
5. Now, each American buys an average of 2.8 Mothers' Day cards per year.
We'd hate to be the one getting that 1/8 of a card.
6. Mothers' Day even trumps Valentine's Day in Google searches for "Flowers."
However, you might not want to get your mom white carnations. Back in the day, that color sometimes indicated that your mom had passed away, while colorful carnations meant she was still living.
7. This year, 75 million Americans will spend money on dining out.
The American Restaurant Association reports that the holiday is the most popular day of the year to dine out.
8. Overall, we'll collectively spend around $20 billion dollars.
So much for a small, intimate celebration.
9. But, guess what?! That expensive gift? NOT EVEN WHAT MOM WANTS.
According to The Today Show, "Many moms... said what they’d REALLY love was a day in which they could spend time with their families while the house magically got clean and dinner magically was cooked."
10. We know, we know. The truth hurts.
Better make that two.
11. But even if Mother's Day has become a celebration of consumerism, moms still deserve appreciation on their special day.
Yes, especially if they wear Mom Jeans.
BECAUSE MOMS ARE AWESOME.
Happy Mothers' Day!
All GIFs via Giphy.com