They’re loving, caring, supportive, and all-around amazing women. Heck, if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t even be here. Moms make the world go round, and it’s important to celebrate them any chance we get. While it’s safe to say that moms should be showered with affection every day of the year, this is especially true on Mother’s Day. What is the history of this joyous holiday dedicated to appreciating the mother figures in our lives? Read on to find out!
When and Why Mother’s Day is Celebrated
This year, Mother’s Day occurs on Sunday, May 9th. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day occurred in 1908 by Anna Jarvis, Ann Reeves Jarvis’s daughter. According to History.com, following her mother’s death in 1905, Anna Jarvis conceived Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children.
The first official Mother’s Day was celebrated at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia, in May of 1908 after gaining financial backing from a Philadelphia department store owner named John Wanamaker. That same day, thousands of people attended a Mother’s Day event at Wanamaker’s retail stores in Philadelphia.
The first Mother’s Day was very successful, and Jarvis, who remained unmarried and childless herself, resolved to see the holiday added to the national calendar. Jarvis made the argument that American holidays were biased toward male achievements and began a letter-writing campaign to newspapers and prominent politicians urging the adoption of Mother’s Day to celebrate motherhood. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
The Commercialization of Mother’s Day
Soon after Mother’s Day became a national holiday, florists, card companies, and other merchants began to capitalize on the day’s popularity, much to Jarvis’ dismay. Jarvis outwardly denounced the transformation and urged people to stop buying Mother’s Day flowers, cards, and candies. She initially intended the holiday to be a day of personal celebration between mothers and families and attending church services. Until her death in 1948, Jarvis lobbied the government to remove Mother’s Day from the American calendar.
Today, as we know, Mother’s Day continues to be celebrated by presenting the mother figures in our lives with gifts and flowers, becoming one of the biggest holidays for consumer spending. Besides gift-giving, more phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year, causing phone traffic to spike by as much as 37 percent. According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother’s Day is also the busiest day of the year for restaurants.
Skyline Cruises Proudly Celebrates Moms and Mother’s Day
Here at Skyline Cruises, we are known for our Mother Day brunches and lunches. These events have sold out year after year since 1993. The Mother’s Day cruises come with table seating, a sailing around NYC harbor, free parking, and a delicious meal served with coffee, tea, and water. This is a great way to get those pictures with mom and the family.
See for yourself why our beautiful luxury yacht, the Skyline Princess, is widely regarded as the most popular yacht in New York Harbor. Our friendly, professional staff is devoted to ensuring a safe and wonderful time for you, your family, and your friends. Your dream cruise is just a few clicks away. For more information, feel free to reach out to our experienced event planners by using our contact form or by calling (718) 446-1100.
