Today in History: Mother’s Day is declared a holiday
Mother's Day has become a day for celebrating the immense role that our moms play in our lives, but if it weren't for Woodrow Wilson in 1914, it might not even be a recognised day.
Prior to 9 May 1914, Mother’s Day was not a recognised holiday. That all changed however when then-American president Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation declaring it a national holiday in the USA.
The idea of Mother’s Day is credited by some to Julia Ward Howe who, in 1872, called for women to join in support of disarmament and asked that 2 June 1872 be established as a ‘Mother’s Day for Peace’.
Many individual states in America celebrated Mother’s Day by 1911, but it was not until Wilson lobbied Congress in 1914 that Mother’s Day was officially set on the second Sunday of every May.
In his first Mother’s Day proclamation, Wilson stated that the holiday offered a chance to “[publicly express] our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”
Mother’s Day has since become a special day all around the world for children and husbands to celebrate the person who is often the cornerstone of the family.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
89 Comments