Anna Jarvis started Mother's Day and later stood against it.
Mother's Day is celebrated all over the world including India on the second Sunday of the month of May. It started from America. On this day people express love and respect towards their mother. But the history of this day is very interesting and also a bit contradictory. The woman who started it later stood up against it. This is the story of Anna Jarvis and her emotional effort, in protest against which she was also arrested.
Come, let us know how Mother's Day started? Why did the same woman who started Mother's Day later oppose this special day?
When and how did Mother's Day start?
Mother's Day is a day dedicated to mothers. On this day people thank their mothers. Give them gifts. Spend time with them. Its purpose is to remember the sacrifice and love of the mother. Mother's Day formally began in 1908. This event was organized in the US state of West Virginia. A few years later, it got official recognition in the year 1914. US President Woodrow Wilson declared this day a national holiday. The tradition of celebrating Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May has been going on since then.
Anna Jarvis started Mother's Day.
Who started Mother's Day?
Mother's Day was started by Anna Jarvis. She was a resident of America. His mother's name was Ann Reeves Jarvis. His mother used to do social service. She used to help women and children. Anna loved her mother very much. His mother died in 1905. This incident affected Anna a lot. He thought that there should be a day which is dedicated to all mothers.
When was the first program held?
In the year 1908, Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother's Day program. This program took place in a church. In this people remembered their mothers. White carnation flowers were used in the event. This flower was considered a symbol of purity and love. People liked this event very much. Gradually this idea started spreading. It started being celebrated in different states also.
Anna Jarvis's motive was very simple. She wanted people to understand her mother's sacrifice. She wanted people to spend time with their mother. Give them respect. This day was not for any big celebration. It was a personal and emotional day. Its purpose was to unite the family.
How did it get official recognition?
Anna Jarvis campaigned for many years. He wrote letters to the leaders. Told people about the importance of this day. His efforts were successful. The American government recognized it in the year 1914. After this this day started being celebrated every year. Gradually other countries also adopted it.
After the recognition of the American government in the year 1914, Mother's Day started being celebrated first in the entire country and then all over the world.
Why did Anna Jarvis protest?
This is the most interesting part of the story. The day Anna Jarvis started it, she later opposed it. The reason was its commercialization. As Mother's Day became popular, the market got involved. Companies started selling greeting cards. Flowers and gifts started becoming expensive. Anna did not like this at all. He believed that this day was for true love. This should not be made a part of business. Anna Jarvis protested publicly several times. He raised his voice against shops and companies. She used to say that people should write letters with their own hands. He said that the cards purchased do not show emotions. She wanted people to thank her mother with a true heart.
Anna was arrested due to protest
Anna took several steps to protest. They demonstrated. Also tried to stop some events. For this reason he was also arrested once. She devoted a large part of her life to maintain this day in its true form, but she could not be completely successful in it.
Mother's Day expanded all over the world
Mother's Day originated from America and spread all over the world. Today it is celebrated in India, Britain, Canada, Australia and many other countries. It is celebrated in different ways in different countries. But the feeling remains the same, respect and love for the mother.
Mother's Day has become popular in India in the last few decades. Here too it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. People give gifts to their mothers. Make a special day for them. Programs are also organized in schools on this day.
Mother's Day has become popular in India in the last few decades.
What has changed today?
The same commercialization which Anna opposed has today overshadowed this special festival. Now Mother's Day is a big business occasion. Big offers come on this occasion. There is a flood of posts on social media. However, the real feeling gets hidden somewhere in between. But still this day brings people closer to their mothers.
Mother's Day is not just a day. It's a feeling. This is an opportunity to express gratitude towards the mother. It started with the love of a daughter. Anna Jarvis started it from the heart, but its form changed over time. Today there is a need that we understand its real meaning. Mother should be respected not just one day, but every day.
