Changes

It is the holiday on which the largest number of telephone calls are placed, the second most popular holiday dining out occasion,<ref>"Father's Day vs. Mother's Day," ''The Boston Herald,'' June 20, 1999</ref> and the fifth highest consumer spending season: $11.43 billion in 2006.<ref>Billions of USD: Halloween $3.29; St. Patrick's Day $3.80; Father's Day $8.23; Super Bowl $8.70; Mother's Day $11.43; Easter $14.37; Valentine's Day $16.90; Back to School/College $54.20; Winter Holidays[sic] $457.40. [http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=390 Annual Report], National Retail Federation: .xls file at "Consumer Holiday Spending Pie Chart" link</ref> A 2006 survey showed that 85% of all consumers planned to celebrate Mother's Day, and to spend an average of $120. About 85% planned to buy greeting cards, 70% flowers, 60% a meal at a restaurant, 30% clothing, 30% jewelry, and 30% gift certificates.<ref>[http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=390 Annual Report], National Retail Federation: .pdf file at "Mothers Day 2006" link. Total does not add to 100% because of multiple purchases.</ref>

It is the holiday on which the largest number of telephone calls are placed, the second most popular holiday dining out occasion,<ref>"Father's Day vs. Mother's Day," ''The Boston Herald,'' June 20, 1999</ref> and the fifth highest consumer spending season: $11.43 billion in 2006.<ref>Billions of USD: Halloween $3.29; St. Patrick's Day $3.80; Father's Day $8.23; Super Bowl $8.70; Mother's Day $11.43; Easter $14.37; Valentine's Day $16.90; Back to School/College $54.20; Winter Holidays[sic] $457.40. [http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=390 Annual Report], National Retail Federation: .xls file at "Consumer Holiday Spending Pie Chart" link</ref> A 2006 survey showed that 85% of all consumers planned to celebrate Mother's Day, and to spend an average of $120. About 85% planned to buy greeting cards, 70% flowers, 60% a meal at a restaurant, 30% clothing, 30% jewelry, and 30% gift certificates.<ref>[http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=390 Annual Report], National Retail Federation: .pdf file at "Mothers Day 2006" link. Total does not add to 100% because of multiple purchases.</ref>

==History==

==History==

Mother's Day was first celebrated on a large scale in the churches and Sunday schools of Philadelphia in 1908. The founder of Mother's Day was Anna Jarvis (1864-1948), whose mother had died on May 9, 1905. Jarvis' mother, Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis (1832-1905) had been a pillar of the local community. Her life revolved around the Andrews Methodist Church, which she helped to build. She had organized a series of "Mothers' Day Work Clubs" devoted to improving health and sanitation in area towns;<ref>[http://www.wvculture.org/History/jarvis.html Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis], West Virginia State Archives</ref> these clubs assisted both Union and Confederate encampments in combating an outbreak of typhoid fever, and conducted a "Mothers' Friendship Day" to help in reconciling families divided by the Civil War.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvtaylor/mother.htm The Mother of Mother's Day], rootsweb</ref> As a memorial, her daughter dedicated her life to the establishment and promotion of a national, and then an international Mother's Day.  

Mother's Day was first celebrated on a large scale in the churches and Sunday schools of Philadelphia in 1908. The founder of Mother's Day was Anna Jarvis (1864-1948), whose mother had died on May 9, 1905. Jarvis' mother, Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis (1832-1905) had been a pillar of the local community. Her life revolved around the Andrews Methodist Church, which she helped to build. She had organized a series of "Mothers' Day Work Clubs" devoted to improving health and sanitation in area towns;<ref>[http://www.wvculture.org/History/jarvis.html Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis], West Virginia State Archives</ref> these clubs assisted both Union and Confederate encampments in combating an outbreak of typhoid fever, and conducted a "Mothers' Friendship Day" to help in reconciling families divided by the Civil War.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvtaylor/mother.htm The Mother of Mother's Day], rootsweb</ref> As a memorial, her daughter dedicated her life to the establishment and promotion of a national, and then an international Mother's Day.