- May 8, 2026
On May 10, 1908, three years after the death of her mother, social activist Anna Jarvis was instrumental in the organization of a memorial ceremony at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, now the International Mother’s Day Shrine, in Grafton, West Virginia to honor her mother and all mothers. This event marked the first official observance of Mother’s Day in the United States. Jarvis selected white carnations as the original emblem of Mother’s Day.
During the following several years, Anna Jarvis launched a campaign to have Mother’s Day recognized as a national holiday focusing on sincere appreciation of mothers without commercialization. Jarvis resigned from her position at Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company in Philadelphia and dedicated an enormous amount of her time writing to businesses, church groups and local, state and national level politicians promoting a nationally recognized Mother’s Day holiday. In 1912, she incorporated the Mother’s Day International Association (MDIA) to inspire both national and international recognition of the special day. During Jarvis’s campaign for the Mother’s Day holiday the day became recognized in all U.S. states and in various foreign countries including Canada, China, Japan, Mexico and several countries within the African and South American continents.
On May 9, 1914, Anna Jarvis’s relentless campaign succeeded when President Woodrow Wilson signed Proclamation 1268, one day after Congress passed a joint resolution, which officially established the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, a national holiday of love and respect for mothers. The resolution “called upon government officials to display the United States flag on all government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” The first national observance of Mother’s Day occurred on Sunday, May 10, 1914. The early national focus of Mother’s Day was to honor those mothers who lost sons in wars.
Anna Jarvis’s campaign, inspired by her mother’s desire to create a holiday to honor mothers, was the leading factor in the establishment of the holiday. Jarvis is now widely considered as the “Founder of Mother’s Day.” The Mother’s Day holiday rapidly became commercialized. Jarvis became furious regarding the commercial exploitation of the holiday and famously opposed it later in her life.
One of the earliest known precursors of Mother’s Day is “Mothering Sunday” which originated in the 16th century in the United Kingdom. “Mothering Sunday” is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent (three weeks before Easter). It is not a maternal celebration. It is a church-focused day when people return to their “mother church” (home parish or cathedral) to break Lenten fasting and reunite with their families to share meals. Today, “Mothering Sunday” is often called Mother’s Day and is a day of celebration honoring mothers with cards, gifts, flowers and special meals.
In 1868, “Mother’s Friendship Day” was organized by Ann Jarvis (mother of Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother’s Day). This special day was intended to promote peace, improve sanitary conditions, teach childcare and connect families from opposite sides of the American Civil War.
In 1870, “Mother’s Peace Day” was founded by Julia Ward Howe, the abolitionist, lecturer, suffragist and author of the American Civil War anthem “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” “Mother’s Peace Day” was not intended to be a commercial holiday. Howe also issued the “Mother’s Day Proclamation for Peace” which was intended to be an anti-war and peace-building movement. The proclamation encouraged mothers to unite against war, advocate for disarmament and promote international peace.
By the 1920s, Mother’s Day had become commercially exploited by large scale sales of candy, cards and flowers. Jarvis felt the commercialization of the holiday contradicted her original intent of a private and sentimental day of personal gratitude toward one’s own mother. Jarvis attempted to oppose commercial candy, cards and flower industries with protests, and campaigned to revoke the holiday. In 1925, she was arrested for disturbing the peace after she disrupted the American War Mothers convention in Philadelphia in an attempt to halt their fundraising efforts. In 1943, Jarvis went as far as creating a petition to rescind the Mother’s Day holiday.
Jarvis’s efforts against the commercialization of Mother’s Day failed and led to catastrophic personal misfortunes as her economic stability was ruined, she became reclusive, she displayed erratic behavior and her physical health declined.
In 1943-1944, friends and associates committed her to the Marshall Square Sanitarium (a private mental institution) in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Ironically, it was rumored that people associated with the floral and greeting card industries paid her bills at the sanitarium. She remained in this institution until her death on November 24, 1948.
Mother’s Day is a huge economic driver in the U.S. In 2026, total spending is forecasted to reach a record $38 billion, an increase from $34.1 billion spent in 2025. Major item sales are jewelry ($6.8B–$7B), special outings for meals ($6.3B), electronics ($3.5B), flowers ($3.2B), and greeting cards ($1.1B). Mother’s Day is the third-largest holiday for flower and card sales.
In 2026, Mother’s Day events and celebrations around the nation include special upscale dining and brunches.
The Salamander Middleburg Resort in Middleburg, VA is hosting a special brunch buffet called the “Celebration of Mom.”
The Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE is hosting a chef-curated buffet featuring elegant pastries and desserts and a special flower bouquet station.
In 2026, Mother’s Day events and celebrations around Florida include lavish dining, tea parties, live music and outdoor activities.
The Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando is hosting a Mother’s Day Celebration with free admission for mothers.
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford is admitting mothers and grandmothers free with a purchased ticket.
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens in Ormond Beach is hosting their 4th annual Mother’s Day Tea on the Rooftop Terrace event.
The Golden Lion Café in Flagler Beach is hosting Mother’s Day beachside dining with live music.
The Serendipity Market in Palm Coast is hosting “Rooted in Love” – a Mother’s Day Plant Market and Shopping Event.
“All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln
Happy Mother’s Day to all moms!
