Changes

Originally, the celebration was observed mostly at churches, but it soon 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. It included 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 chaplain of the American Legion led a prayer, followed by speeches by the Lieutenant Governor, Mayor James M. Curley, 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 was observed mostly at churches, but it soon 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. It included 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 chaplain of the American Legion led a prayer, followed by speeches by the Lieutenant Governor, Mayor James M. Curley, 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>.

Founder Anna Jarvis continued to guide the celebration in her role as President of the Mothers' Day International Association, declaring in 1920, for example, that on that year white carnations would be dispensed with due to the high cost of the flowers. But the celebration gradually evolved into its present form: primarily an occasion for gifts, greeting cards, and telephone calls. Jarvis herself eventually became bitter at the extent to which the celebration had become commercialized.<ref name=stuff>[http://people.howstuffworks.com/question634.htm Who came up with Mother's Day and why?] howstuffworks website: "Jarvis became bitter over the commercialization of the holiday. She filed a lawsuit to stop a 1923 Mother's Day event and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a mother's convention where white carnations were being sold."</ref> The New York Times says that she "denounced confectioners, florists, and other groups whom she accused of gouging the public" and was angered because "too many sons bought printed cards to send to their mothers, instead of writing."<ref>"Anna Jarvis Dead; Honored Mothers; Founder in 1907 of Their Day Fought Commercialization&mdash;Penniless at Her Death." ''The New York Times, November 25, 1948, p. 31</ref>

Founder Anna Jarvis continued to guide the celebration in her role as President of the Mothers' Day International Association, declaring in 1920, for example, that on that year white carnations would be dispensed with due to the high cost of the flowers. But the celebration gradually evolved into its present form: primarily an occasion for gifts, greeting cards, and telephone calls. Jarvis herself eventually became bitter at the extent to which the celebration had become commercialized.<ref name=stuff>[http://people.howstuffworks.com/question634.htm Who came up with Mother's Day and why?] HowStuffWorks website: "Jarvis became bitter over the commercialization of the holiday. She filed a lawsuit to stop a 1923 Mother's Day event and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a mother's convention where white carnations were being sold."</ref> The New York Times says that she "denounced confectioners, florists, and other groups whom she accused of gouging the public" and was angered because "too many sons bought printed cards to send to their mothers, instead of writing."<ref>"Anna Jarvis Dead; Honored Mothers; Founder in 1907 of Their Day Fought Commercialization&mdash;Penniless at Her Death." ''The New York Times, November 25, 1948, p. 31</ref>

In 1962, the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church of Grafton, West Virginia&mdash; location of the 1907 Mother's Day service&mdash;became rededicated as the International Mother's Day Shrine.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvtaylor/shrine.htm The International Mother's Day Shrine]</ref>

In 1962, the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church of Grafton, West Virginia&mdash; location of the 1907 Mother's Day service&mdash;became rededicated as the International Mother's Day Shrine.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvtaylor/shrine.htm The International Mother's Day Shrine]</ref>