The history of Mother's Day dates back to ancient Greece, where festivals were held to honor Rhea, the mother of the gods. Later, early Christians honored Mary, the mother of Christ, on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This holiday came to include all mothers and was renamed Mothering Sunday. In 1907, Anna M. Jarvis, a Philadelphia teacher, wanted to honor her mother and began a movement to set aside a national day for mothers. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May to be a national holiday to honor and celebrate mothers.
The poet William Makepeace Thackeray said "Mother is the name for god in the lips and hearts of little children". Our mothers love us unconditionally, kiss our hurts away, listen to our stories, mend our broken hearts, and help us grow into capable adults. They kiss us goodbye and love us when we come back home. They are who we call for when we have a nightmare, are scared, or hurt. They are who we call when we have good news. They are, in fact, our best friend.Enjoy a collection of Mother's Day facts and activities that your students and their mothers will love!
