The Wonderful Story of Mother's Day
The Wonderful Story of Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a special day each year when we celebrate and thank the incredible women who are mothers and mother figures in our lives. While it feels like a very old tradition, the Mother's Day we know today actually has a fascinating history, starting with the dedication of a few amazing women who believed mothers deserved their own special day.
Early Beginnings and Ideas
The idea for a day dedicated to mothers began even before the official holiday. One of the earliest calls for a Mother's Day came from Julia Ward Howe in 1870. She was an American writer and activist, famous for writing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Howe suggested a "Mother's Peace Day" after the Civil War. Her idea was for mothers to gather and promote peace, encouraging a day when mothers could unite against war. While her idea didn't become a national holiday, it planted an important seed.
Anna Jarvis: The Mother of Mother's Day
- Activist:
- A person who works to bring about political or social change.
- Campaign:
- A planned series of actions to achieve a goal, like starting a holiday.
- Proclaimed:
- Announced officially and publicly.
- Reverence:
- Deep respect or admiration for someone or something.
- Traditions:
- Customs or beliefs passed down from generation to generation.
- momentum:
- The strength or force that keeps an activity moving forward and helps it continue to grow.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Who first suggested a "Mother's Peace Day" after the Civil War?
- 2What inspired Anna Jarvis to campaign for Mother's Day?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“The Wonderful Story of Mother's Day” is a explanatory article reading passage about Mother's Day, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (558 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.