Julia Ward Howe launched the first Mother's Day celebration on June 2, 1872. Back then, it was different than we think of Mother's Day today. It was correctly called the "Mother's Day for Peace," and its goal was to remonstrate war and celebrate peace. In addition, moms everywhere were also acknowledged for their roles in the well-being of a peaceful society. Women's suffrage also was mentioned on this day of the year. Until the turn of the 20th century, the holiday was pretty much celebrated in this way.

Ann Reeves Jarvis was another woman who helped to organize those around her to improve their local living conditions. Her daughter Anna continued Ms. Jarvis' efforts after her death and petitioned for a national holiday to honor all of the nation's mothers and the important work that they do. Woodrow Wilson signed the bill making Mother's Day a holiday into law in 1914. Since then, Mother's Day has been observed on the second Sunday in May.

Jarvis, who never became a mother herself, did not intend for Mother's Day to be a commercial affair. She favored sentiment to commercialism. As the holiday became more and more associated with gift giving, she began to speak out against the practice. Many people would send flowers to their mothers as they do today. Even this did not sit well with Jarvis. She spent the rest of her life reminding people that the holiday was about the sentiments that should be given to mothers, and not the gifts.

In this diverse world of today, many people live too far away to easily visit Mom. Numerous people celebrate Mother's Day by honoring Mom with cards, flowers or plants. Buying flowers with special meaning is a common reason for selections along with choosing the blooms mom loves best.

Finding the perfect Mother's Day presents is a task enjoyed by many children. Fathers and children often spend quality time together looking for these special gifts. Typical Mother's Day gifts include jewelry, perfume, flowers, books, and collectibles.

Jarvis did not intend the holiday to take on so much unintended significance. Although the day is not celebrated as she had initially intended, her goal of creating a holiday based around honoring mothers was still accomplished. Unfortunately, Jarvis will never realize this