A Brief History Of Mother’s Day
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, May 8, 2026 (Donate)
Mother’s Day is this Sunday! Don’t miss it! What a great day to honor our respective mothers. Did you know this is actually a recent holiday?
Mother's Day In Kentucky
Mother’s Day started in Henderson,
Kentucky by Mary Sasseen Wilson. This was in April of 1887 and she wrote and spoke
on the subject throughout the South. She served prominently in the Alabama Sunday School Association and promoted Mother’s Day largely through churches and Christian educational programs. Later, others picked up the torch to
honor their mothers. The Kentucky Historical Society states,
“Here, Mary Towles Sasseen Wilson
in 1887 first observed Mother's Day. Started with her pupils. In 1893, she
obtained national observance. Kentucky Legislature recognized her as ‘originator
of idea.’”[1]
There was a movement prior to this also called “Mother’s Day”
but was an entirely different entity. It was started by Julia Ward Howe after the
Civil War (around 1870) in the Boston, MA area and had small following for
about 30 years before it fizzled out. This was meant as a Day of Peace to
stand against the cruelty of war—of which mothers indeed grieve more than most and
know those horrors when the child doesn’t return. But this was much different from
modern Mother’s Day.
National Recognition
Mother’s Day, as celebrated in the United States
today at a national level, was largely the work of Anna Jarvis in the
early twentieth century (West Virginia). After her mother’s death in 1905,
Jarvis sought to establish a day to honor the sacrifices and influence of
mothers on the grandest scale. The first widely recognized Mother’s Day service by Jarvis took place in
1908 at a church in Grafton, West Virginia.[2]
Jarvis campaigned vigorously for national recognition, writing letters and organizing events. Her efforts were successful when Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914 designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the United States.[3] The holiday quickly spread beyond America, being adopted in various forms in many countries.
Interestingly, Jarvis later opposed the commercialization of
the holiday, criticizing the greeting card and floral industries for turning a
heartfelt observance into a profit-driven event. But the connection of showing motherly love through these means has obviously taken root.
Mother’s Day is a nationally recognized holiday in the United States. While it isn't a federal holiday that closes government offices, it is officially observed each year and widely acknowledged across the nation. Churches, families, and communities commonly mark the day with special services, meals, and expressions of appreciation.
Many countries around the world also observe Mother’s Day,
though the date and customs may differ. Despite these variations, the central
theme remains the same: honoring mothers for their care, sacrifice, and
influence in the family and society.
Growth in Popularity
Mother’s Day has grown into one of the most widely
celebrated occasions in the United States. Over time, it has become one of the
busiest days for restaurants, florists, and greeting card companies. Families
often gather for meals, give gifts, write cards, and spend intentional time
honoring their mothers.
Its popularity has increased due to several factors. First,
the universal nature of motherhood makes the holiday broadly relatable. Second,
cultural emphasis on family values reinforces the importance of recognizing
parental roles. Third, commercial promotion has expanded its visibility and
participation.
Despite commercialization, many families continue to observe
the day in meaningful and personal ways, focusing on gratitude and honor rather
than materialism.
How Mother’s Day Honors Scripture
Mother’s Day aligns well with biblical principles,
even though it isn't a biblically mandated holiday. Scripture consistently
teaches the importance of honoring parents, especially mothers.
· Exodus 20:12 (NKJV) states, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." This command is foundational and is reaffirmed in the New Testament.
· Ephesians 6:2–3 (NKJV) says, "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
The Bible also discusses the value and influence of a godly mother. Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman whose children rise up and call her blessed. 2 Timothy 1:5 commends the sincere faith found in Timothy’s mother and grandmother, showing the spiritual impact mothers can have to their children and grandchildren.
Mother’s Day is an opportunity to put these
biblical teachings into practice by expressing gratitude, respect, and love
toward mothers. It serves as a cultural reminder of a timeless biblical truth:
that mothers are worthy of honor for their role in nurturing life, teaching
truth, and shaping families.
Summary
Mother’s Day began as a heartfelt effort by Mary Sasseen Wilson and Anna
Jarvis to honor mothers and was officially recognized in 1914 by President
Woodrow Wilson. It is now a nationally observed holiday in the United States
and widely celebrated around the world. Its popularity has grown significantly
through cultural and commercial influence, yet its core purpose remains rooted
in honoring mothers.
While not commanded in Scripture, the principles behind Mother’s
Day strongly reflect biblical teaching on honoring parents and valuing the
role of mothers in the family. PS Don't forget your mother on Mother's Day!
Bodie Hodge, Ken
Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing
evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as
a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers
News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.
Bodie
launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal
website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken
on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Mr. Hodge earned a
Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a
Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and
running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic
materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a
grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar,
Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.
His love of science
was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one
year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and
scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over
25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.
* Image by ChatGPT
[2]
See: Jarvis, A. (1908). Mother’s Day service materials and correspondence.
Grafton, WV: Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church; Jarvis, A. (1912). Trademark
application for “Second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day”. U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.
[3] Woodrow
Wilson. (1914). Proclamation 1268—Mother’s Day. Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office.
