The Chronicles Of Grant County
Mother's Day In Grant County
Today is the official day in the United States to honor one's mother. From Hurley to Cliff and from Silver City to Santa Clara, mothers will be feted. Many mothers will be receiving greeting cards, candy, and flowers today. Some will wake up to breakfast being served in bed (watch that that hot coffee doesn't spill, though). Others might go out for lunch, brunch, or dinner with loved ones (that extra decadent chocolate cake looks delicious, doesn't it?) A few might even receive a toaster or an iron (but we'll put those items aside as "non-presents" that were "misdelivered for someone else.")
The concept of a day for mothers began long before any official holiday was proclaimed by the government. A day to recognize mothers had been proposed by Julia Ward Howe as well as by Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis and her daughter, Anna Maria Jarvis.
Some of the early "Mother's Days" focused on schools and children.
On February 22, 1901, The Clarksburg Telegram in West Virginia included a report from The Harrison County Teacher detailing how a teacher implemented a "Mother's Day" at her school. Ethel Clark, a teacher in the Primary Room in Shinnston, West Virginia, wrote that from the regular dismissal time of 3:30 PM on the specific day until 4:00 PM, she had "…the pupils recited several selections appropriate for the day such as: 'When Mamma was a Little Girl,' 'What we Learn at School,' etc. Sang some of their school songs, and gave a drill taken from our [calisthenics]. After dismissing the pupils I detained the mothers a few minutes, talked to them of our school and invited them back."
The Fairmont West Virginian reported on October 14, 1904, that "This afternoon was 'mothers' day' in the room of Miss Humphries in the Fleming school and a large number of mothers of the primary pupils visited the school. A great deal of interest was shown in the children's education and the school was found to be in good shape and making rapid progress."
A few months later, on February 3, 1905, the same newspaper included a news article with the headline of "Mother's Day Was Well Attended And Much Interest Shown In School Work Yesterday." The news article went on to note that the day "…was observed in the Second and Third wards yesterday in a manner flattering to the school interests of the community…About thirty-five mothers were present…"
The Albuquerque Morning Journal noted on May 30, 1905, that "Mrs. T. L. Butts gave what she very appropriately styled a Mother's day program…" the day before at a local school in the First ward.
On May 29, 1907, The Philadelphia Inquirer included a news article detailing that "Mothers' Peace Day at Smith Memorial Playground…will be celebrated Saturday [June 1] afternoon. Thirty-four years ago Julia Ward Howe, author of the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic,' instituted this festival of peace, 'a time for women and children to get together in their playgrounds, to meet in the country, invite the public and sing, and recite, and pray, for the things that make for peace.'"
From schools and playgrounds, the holiday became formalized in many communities, in churches and through general celebrations.
The first "official" Mother's Day was celebrated on May 10, 1908. Public celebrations took place in churches of all types of denominations as well as in large public gatherings. On May 20, 1908, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "between five and six million persons throughout the United States celebrated the festival on May 10…The mayors of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Toledo, Ohio, issued proclamations to the citizens making Mother's Day a public occasion…"
During the next few years, Mother's Day proclamations were also made by a number of state governors. On April 21, 1911, The Deming Graphic reported that the Governor of New Mexico "…has wisely and properly appointed Sunday, May 14, as 'Mother's Day,' and recommends that on said day all our citizens attend divine worship…"
Not everyone initially agreed with this holiday.
On May 9, 1908, The Lincoln Evening News reported that "Mothers' Day Motion Squelched In Senate." The article noted that members of the United States Senate voted 33-14 to refer a resolution to proclaim May 10, 1908, as "Mother's Day" to a committee; this was a way for the U S Senate to kill a bill without actually voting "No."
In subsequent years, views changed in the halls of the U S Congress.
Acting at the behest of a Joint Resolution passed by the U S Congress on May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first Presidential Proclamation for Mother's Day on May 9, 1914. In it, the President wrote that the holiday was "...a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."
While leaders as diverse as President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and President Joseph Biden may disagree on a whole host of subjects, all have proclaimed Mother's Day as the second Sunday in May.
Happy Mother's Day.
This warthog shows that even mothers that may not be the prettiest in the world are loved by their young'uns. (The photograph was provided courtesy of Nel Botha through Pixabay, September 6, 2019.)
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