In 1872 Julia Ward Howe, who was a pacifist, suffragette, and writer of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” first suggested Mother’s Day in the United States. She suggests the day as a day mothers could rally for peace after many lost family in the Civil War. In 1873 women’s groups in 18 North American cities observed this new Mother’s holiday. Howe initially funded many of these celebrations, but most of them died out once she stopped footing the bill. Howe had nevertheless planted the seed.AWest Virginia women’s group led by Anna Reeves Jarvis began to celebrate an adaptation of Howe’s holiday in order to re-unite people that had been divided by the Civil War. AfterthedeathofAnnReevesJarvisin1908,herdaughter Anna Jarvis successfully held her first Mother’s Day seeking to make it a national celebration. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that the second Sunday in May, no matter what the date, would belong to moms across the nation. Anna Jarvis, though she founded the American modern concept of Mother’s Day, remained unmarried and childless throughout her entire life. Mother’s Day is now celebrated in almost fifty countries around the world. Canada was one of the first nations to pick up the US version of Mother’s Day, making it a national holiday in 1909, one year after the United States did. The History of Mother’s Day Thanks Mom MOTHER’S DAY - SUNDAY MAY 14 261 Queen St., Port Perry 905-985-5222 Flowers, Plants and Unique Gifts your Mom will Love! 207 Queen St., Port Perry 905-985-3011 www.lukesforhome.com SPRING HAS ARRIVED! Find something Special for CANADIAN TIRE 14325 Simcoe Street, Port Perry 905-985-7341 let love grow Remember Mom May 14 Visit our Garden Centre for Great Gift Ideas! FOCUS - MAY 2017 17