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In England, people set aside a day for honoring mothers many years ago. It was given the name Mothering Sunday, and came in mid-Lent. Other European nations have observed similar days.
In the United States, Julia Ward Howe was the first person known to make this suggestion for a Mother's Day. In 1872, she put forth the proposition to observe June 2nd as a day of peace to honor mothers.
Anna Jarvis began a campaign for a nationwide observance of Mother's Day in 1904. She chose the second Sunday in May, and started the custom of wearing a carnation. A white carnation is worn if the person's mother is deceased, and a colored one (usually red) is worn if the person's mother is still living.
President Wilson proclaimed Mother's Day an
annual national observance in 1915.
Source: Uhler, Sharron G. "Mother's Day." World Book Online Reference Center. 2004. World Book, Inc.