Changes

Jarvis sought to make it a national celebration. It was not smooth going at first; in 1908 the Senate poked fun at a resolution to institute Mothers' Day.<ref>The position of the apostrophe varies; older sources tend to put it after the ''s,'' modern usage puts it before the ''s.''</ref> One senator feared it would lead to special days in honor of "sisters and the cousins and the aunts,"<ref>Doubtless a reference to a song in H. M. S. Pinafore, in which the head of the Navy goes everywhere accompanied by "his sisters and his cousins and his aunts." The senator's objection is a good example of a [[slippery slope]] argument.</ref>, another moved to substitute the Fifth Commandment, and another said that if it passed the Senate should also recognize a Grandmothers' Day.<ref>Against a Mothers'[sic] Day. Senate Pokes Fun at Senator Burkett's Resolution Calling For One. ''The New York Times,'' May 10, 1908, p. 7</ref> Nevertheless, the tradition spread to other cities, and by 1910 it had been adopted by most states.<ref>"Mothers'[sic] Day" ''The Boston Daily Globe,'' May 11, 1911, p. 12: "On Sunday next Mothers' day will be celebrated for the second time in the United States.... [The suggestion of] Miss Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia that a day be set aside for throughout the country to honor mothers was quickly adopted in most states."</ref> In 1913 the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for federal officials to wear white carnations on Mother's Day.

Jarvis sought to make it a national celebration. It was not smooth going at first; in 1908 the Senate poked fun at a resolution to institute Mothers' Day.<ref>The position of the apostrophe varies; older sources tend to put it after the ''s,'' modern usage puts it before the ''s.''</ref> One senator feared it would lead to special days in honor of "sisters and the cousins and the aunts,"<ref>Doubtless a reference to a song in H. M. S. Pinafore, in which the head of the Navy goes everywhere accompanied by "his sisters and his cousins and his aunts." The senator's objection is a good example of a [[slippery slope]] argument.</ref>, another moved to substitute the Fifth Commandment, and another said that if it passed the Senate should also recognize a Grandmothers' Day.<ref>Against a Mothers'[sic] Day. Senate Pokes Fun at Senator Burkett's Resolution Calling For One. ''The New York Times,'' May 10, 1908, p. 7</ref> Nevertheless, the tradition spread to other cities, and by 1910 it had been adopted by most states.<ref>"Mothers'[sic] Day" ''The Boston Daily Globe,'' May 11, 1911, p. 12: "On Sunday next Mothers' day will be celebrated for the second time in the United States.... [The suggestion of] Miss Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia that a day be set aside for throughout the country to honor mothers was quickly adopted in most states."</ref> In 1913 the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for federal officials to wear white carnations on Mother's Day.

On May 8th, 1914, [[Woodrow WIlson]] signed House Joint Resolution 263, "A joint resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, and for other purposes." WIlson issued a proclamation "calling upon the Government officials to display the United States flag on all Government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May, as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country."<ref name=rice/>

In 1914, a bill instituting Mother's Day was passed, and on May 8th, 1914, [[Woodrow WIlson]] signed House Joint Resolution 263, "A joint resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, and for other purposes." WIlson issued a proclamation "calling upon the Government officials to display the United States flag on all Government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May, as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country."<ref name=rice/>

Originally, the celebration consisted mostly of attendance at church, and expanded to public gatherings, somewhat on the pattern of Independence Day or Memorial Day<ref>Then called "Decorations Day"</ref>. Boston's 1923 celebration of Mother's Day honored the sacrifices of the Gold Star mothers who had lost sons in World War I with a parade and speeches on the Common. "M. Schalk" of the Rotary Club led the assembled crowd in singing "Mother Machree," "The Long Long Trail," and "Home Sweet Home." The Navy Yard Band played. The chaplain of the American Legion led a prayer, followed by speeches by the Lieutenant Governor, Mayor James M. Curley (who drew an ovation), and screen actress Mary Carr, famous for her film portrayal of mothers.<ref>"Tributes to 'Mother' Paid On Common After Parade in Downtown Boston," ''The Boston Daily Globe,'' May 14, 1923, p. 18</ref>.

Originally, the celebration consisted mostly of attendance at church, and expanded to public gatherings, somewhat on the pattern of Independence Day or Memorial Day<ref>Then called "Decorations Day"</ref>. Boston's 1923 celebration of Mother's Day honored the sacrifices of the Gold Star mothers who had lost sons in World War I with a parade and speeches on the Common. "M. Schalk" of the Rotary Club led the assembled crowd in singing "Mother Machree," "The Long Long Trail," and "Home Sweet Home." The Navy Yard Band played. The chaplain of the American Legion led a prayer, followed by speeches by the Lieutenant Governor, Mayor James M. Curley (who drew an ovation), and screen actress Mary Carr, famous for her film portrayal of mothers.<ref>"Tributes to 'Mother' Paid On Common After Parade in Downtown Boston," ''The Boston Daily Globe,'' May 14, 1923, p. 18</ref>.