Tuesday, May 10, 2011

It Was a Happy Mother's Day

Now that spring has sprung, at least here in the Midwest, lawn mowers are humming, birds are chirping, kids are anxiously awaiting the end of the school year, pools are starting to open (unfortunately not mine), lawn furniture is appearing on patios and Mother’s Day is over.  If this doesn’t scream summer, nothing will.  But do we really know anything about Mother’s Day?  As much as I would like to take credit for the honoring of my Mother, the second Sunday of every May was officially set by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914.  He claimed the holiday offered a chance to “publicly express” our love and reverence for the Mothers of or country.  The “idea”, however, is credited by some to Julia Ward Howe (1872) and Anna Jarvis (1907), who both suggested a day be dedicated to a “day of peace”.  Many states honored Mother’s Day around and before 1911, but it was truly Woodrow who issued a Presidential Proclamation to establish the first National Mother’s Day!  His Mother must have been proud.   Love Ya Mom!!