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     Mankind has been honoring motherhood with a special day of celebration as far back in time as the Greek and Roman empires, although not quite the same way we celebrate today. It was typically a celebration of the maternal goddesses, at least until goddesses went the way of idols. Festivities often lasted days and included games, masquerades and parades. As for everyday mothers, well, they didn’t count.

     As monotheism took root and Christianity emerged, a celebration of motherhood took a new form on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honor of the Virgin Mary. Again, celebration of a particular mother.

     It wasn’t until the British got into the game in the early 1600’s that the holiday was expanded to include all mothers. Immediately following church services, to honor the Virgin Mary, children would bring gifts and flowers in tribute to their own mothers.

     So, thanks to our “Mother Country” for bringing us the concept of “Mothers Day” as we now know it.

     But of course, what would a holiday be if we Americans didn’t get into the act, and in some way, make it uniquely our own, for a completely different set of reasons.

     It was poet Julia Ward Howe, author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” that first suggested in 1872 that there be an official day of celebration of mothers. That suggestion evolved from her famous 1870 Mothers Day Proclamation, initiating Mother’s Peace Day which appealed to women to rise up against war. Her idea spread, but ultimately gave way to the modern day Mothers Day, free of political meaning.

     It was Anna Jarvis, a women who never married nor had children who ironically is recognized as the founder of Mothers Day. Her inspiration came from her mother, an activist and social worker who hoped that someday mothers, living and dead, would be recognized and honored for their contributions to society.

     Upon her mothers death in 1905 Anna Jarvis began a nine year campaign to realize her mothers dream, culminating on May 8, 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

     So, let us not only honor our mothers this Mothers day, and every day, but also two remarkable women, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis, whose determination inspired our nation to set aside at least one day a year to honor and tell our mothers how special they are.

     Happy Mothers Day to all you Moms!