Happy 100th Aniversary of Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day. As usual my brothers sister and I celebrated with our mother by having lunch at one of the famous chinese restaurant at Manjalara, Kepong. It is a very meaningful celebration as our family, although having our own family with kids, having this chance to gather together at least once a year. I have to gratefully thank Ms. Anna Javis for her idea back in 100 years ago.

In 1858, Anna Javis's mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis was the first woman in the United States to hold an official celebration of mothers, when she instituted Mothers' Work Day to raise awareness about local sanitation issues. During the Civil War, she expanded the scope of Mothers' Work Day to include sanitary conditions on both sides of the battlefield. Meanwhile, in 1872, Julia Ward Howe initiated and promoted a Mother's Day for Peace, to be held on June 2, which was celebrated the following year by women in 18 cities across America.

Then in 1905, Anna Reeves Javis passed away and her daughter, Anna Javis, took up her mother's torch. In 1907, Anna launched her campaign by handing out white carnations at her mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia. In 1908, the church acquiesced to Anna's request to hold a special Sunday service in honor of mothers - a tradition that spread the very next year to churches in 46 states. In 1909, Anna left her job and dedicated herself to a full-time letter-writing campaign, imploring politicians, clergymen and civic leaders to institute a national day for mothers.

In 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a Joint Resolution, signed by President Wilson, establishing a national Mother's Day emphasizing the role of women in their families. Ever since, Mother's Day has been celebrated by Americans on the second Sunday in May.

And now, Mother's Day is being celebrated in over 50 countris in this world.