Mother’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the incredible role that mothers play in our lives. It is observed annually on the second Sunday of May, and this year, Mother’s Day will be celebrated on May 12, 2024.
To make your mother feel cherished and appreciated on this day, here are some heartfelt messages, wishes, and WhatsApp statuses, along with famous quotes that you can use to express your love:
Mother’s Day 2024: Heartfelt Messages and Wishes
- “Mom, you are the sunshine on a cloudy day. Happy Mother’s Day! ☀️”
- “Words can’t express how grateful I am for your endless love and support. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! ❤️”
- “You are my rock, my confidante, and my best friend. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! 🌸”
- “Thank you for always believing in me, even when I doubted myself. Happy Mother’s Day! 🌼”
- “You inspire me with your strength and kindness every day. Happy Mother’s Day! 💕”
Mother’s Day is a globally recognized holiday that honors the essence of motherhood, celebrated in various forms across the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day was established by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and officially became a U.S. holiday in 1914. Despite its commercialization over time, Jarvis later expressed disapproval and dedicated her later years to removing it from the calendar.
Traditionally, Mother’s Day involves showing appreciation through gestures like presenting mothers with flowers, cards, and gifts. Let’s make this Mother’s Day extra special for the amazing women in our lives who embody the spirit of love and selflessness.
What Is Mother’s Day?
The origins of celebrating mothers and motherhood can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans, who honored mother goddesses like Rhea and Cybele through festivals. However, the modern concept of Mother’s Day finds its clearest precedent in the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.”
In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, Mothering Sunday was once a significant tradition held on the fourth Sunday in Lent. Originally, it was a time for the faithful to return to their “mother church”—the main church near their home—for a special service. As time passed, Mothering Sunday evolved into a more secular holiday where children would show appreciation for their mothers by presenting them with flowers and tokens of gratitude.
This custom gradually declined in popularity but later merged with the American version of Mother’s Day during the 1930s and 1940s.
Fun fact: Mother’s Day is the busiest day for phone calls, surpassing all other days of the year. These heartwarming conversations with Mom often lead to a spike in phone traffic, increasing by as much as 37 percent during the holiday.
Mother’s Day Origins in the United States
The roots of Mother’s Day in the United States can be traced back to the 19th century. Ann Reeves Jarvis, a woman from West Virginia, played a pivotal role in its early beginnings. Before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis initiated “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” aimed at educating local women on proper child care practices.
These clubs soon became a unifying force in a region deeply divided by the Civil War. In 1868, Ann Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” an event where mothers, including those from both Union and Confederate backgrounds, gathered with former soldiers to promote reconciliation.
Another significant figure in the development of Mother’s Day was Julia Ward Howe, an abolitionist and suffragette. In 1870, Howe penned the “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” urging mothers to come together in advocating for world peace. She actively campaigned for a “Mother’s Peace Day” to be observed annually on June 2.
In the 1870s, Juliet Calhoun Blakely, a temperance activist, inspired the initiation of a local Mother’s Day observance in Albion, Michigan. Additionally, Mary Towles Sasseen and Frank Hering were instrumental in organizing Mothers’ Day events during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hering, in particular, has been dubbed “the father of Mothers’ Day” due to his significant contributions to its establishment.
These early pioneers of Mother’s Day laid the groundwork for a tradition that would eventually evolve into the widely celebrated holiday we know today, dedicated to honoring and appreciating the mothers and mother figures who enrich our lives with their love and dedication.
Anna Jarvis Turns Mother’s Day Into a National Holiday
The official Mother’s Day holiday emerged in the early 1900s thanks to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. After her mother passed away in 1905, Anna Jarvis was inspired to create Mother’s Day as a way to recognize and honor the immense sacrifices mothers make for their children.
With the financial support of John Wanamaker, a department store owner from Philadelphia, Anna organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration in May 1908 at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. Simultaneously, Wanamaker hosted a large Mother’s Day event at his retail store in Philadelphia, drawing thousands of attendees.
Following the success of this inaugural celebration, Anna Jarvis—who never married nor had children—was determined to establish Mother’s Day as a nationally recognized holiday. She believed that existing American holidays predominantly celebrated male achievements and sought to create a day dedicated to honoring motherhood.
Anna launched an extensive letter-writing campaign to newspapers and influential figures, advocating for the adoption of Mother’s Day on a national scale. By 1912, numerous states, towns, and churches had embraced Mother’s Day as an annual observance. Anna also established the Mother’s Day International Association to further her cause and promote the holiday’s significance.
Finally, in 1914, Anna Jarvis’s persistent efforts paid off when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation officially designating the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day. This declaration solidified Mother’s Day as a cherished occasion for expressing gratitude and appreciation to mothers across the United States.
Anna Jarvis’s devotion and determination to honor motherhood led to the establishment of a beloved tradition that continues to unite families and communities in celebrating the remarkable contributions of mothers everywhere.
Jarvis Decries Commercialized Mother’s Day
Anna Jarvis initially conceived Mother’s Day as a deeply personal celebration meant for mothers and their families. Her vision for the day involved wearing a white carnation as a symbol and either visiting one’s mother or attending church services together. However, as Mother’s Day gained national recognition and became an official holiday, it quickly fell victim to commercial exploitation by florists, card companies, and other merchants eager to profit from its popularity.
Although Anna Jarvis initially collaborated with the floral industry to promote Mother’s Day, her perspective shifted dramatically by the 1920s. She grew deeply disillusioned and upset with how the holiday had been commercialized, deviating from her heartfelt intentions. Publicly, she denounced this transformation and actively discouraged people from purchasing Mother’s Day flowers, cards, or candies.
Jarvis embarked on an outspoken campaign against those she deemed to be profiteers of Mother’s Day, openly criticizing confectioners, florists, and even charitable organizations. She initiated numerous lawsuits against entities that utilized the name “Mother’s Day,” dedicating a substantial portion of her personal wealth to legal battles.
By the time of her passing in 1948, Anna Jarvis had completely disowned the holiday she had worked so tirelessly to establish. She even petitioned the government to have Mother’s Day removed from the American calendar, dismayed by its commercialization and departure from her original vision of a sincere, family-oriented celebration. Despite her efforts, Mother’s Day remains a widely observed holiday, albeit with the commercial elements that Anna Jarvis vehemently opposed.
Quotes On Mothers Day
Here are 10 quotes to celebrate Mother’s Day:
- “A mother’s love is the heart of a family.”
- “To the world, you are a mother. To your family, you are the world.”
- “A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.”
- “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”
- “Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother.”
- “The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.”
- “A mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.”
- “A mother’s love knows no limits and no boundaries.”
- “Mothers: because there’s no one like you.”
- “Behind every great person is a truly incredible mother.”
Short Messages On Mothers Day
Here are 20 heartfelt Mother’s Day wish messages for you to express your love and appreciation to your mom:
- Happy Mother’s Day to the most amazing mom! Your love, strength, and guidance have shaped me into who I am today.
- Wishing you a day filled with love, joy, and relaxation. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
- Mom, you are my rock and my inspiration. I am so grateful for all that you do. Happy Mother’s Day!
- Sending you all my love on Mother’s Day. Thank you for being the best mom in the world!
- To the woman who raised me with endless love and care, Happy Mother’s Day!
- May your Mother’s Day be as wonderful as you are, Mom. I love you!
- Happy Mother’s Day to a phenomenal woman and an extraordinary mother. You deserve all the happiness today!
- Wishing you a day of pampering and relaxation. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
- Mom, you are my hero and my greatest supporter. I am blessed to have you in my life. Happy Mother’s Day!
- Sending you hugs and kisses on Mother’s Day. Thank you for everything, Mom!
- May your day be filled with beautiful moments and cherished memories. Happy Mother’s Day!
- Mom, you are my role model and my best friend. I love you more than words can express. Happy Mother’s Day!
- Today is all about celebrating you, Mom. Enjoy every moment! Happy Mother’s Day!
- Thank you for your unconditional love and endless sacrifices. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
- Wishing a Happy Mother’s Day to the most incredible woman I know. You deserve the world!
- Mom, your love is the greatest gift of all. Happy Mother’s Day to a truly special person.
- May your heart be filled with joy and your day be filled with love. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
- You are the heart and soul of our family. Happy Mother’s Day to the queen of our home!
- Mom, you are my source of strength and my source of love. Happy Mother’s Day!
- Today and every day, I am grateful for you, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day to the best mom ever!
