Mother’s Day has changed a lot since it first became a holiday in the United States. It started in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in West Virginia. She wanted to honor her mom’s work as a peace activist during the Civil War. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made it an official holiday, celebrated on the second Sunday in May. At first, people honored mothers by wearing carnations. The colors mean red for living mothers and white for those who have passed away.
Over time, the holiday became more commercial. Anna Jarvis, who started Mother’s Day, actually became upset about this. She did not like how stores used the day to sell flowers, cards, and gifts. She felt it took away from the original meaning of honoring mothers. In fact, she spent much of her life protesting against the commercialization of the holiday.
Today, Mother’s Day is one of the biggest spending holidays in the U.S. In 2025, Americans are expected to spend $33.5 billion on flowers, cards, and meals. While some people still go to church or spend time with family, many also buy gifts or go out to eat. The way people celebrate has changed, but the goal is still the same: to show appreciation for mothers.
Interestingly, Mother’s Day is not just about biological mothers anymore. Many people use the day to celebrate all kinds of mother figures like grandmothers, aunts, or close friends who have played important roles in their lives. It is a day to recognize the love and care that mothers and mother figures give, no matter how they are related. To find more information visit time.com and teenvogue.com
