The history of Mother's Day stretches back over 100 years and started right here in the United States, with one woman buying her late mother's favorite flowers as a tribute to her impact on their community. The meaning of Mother's Day and the traditions that surround it are, at the core, all about flowers.
On May 10th, 1908, Anna Jarvis delivered five hundred white carnations to Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, for a memorial service. Her mother had taught Sunday school there for decades, and the massive order of her mother’s favorite flower was delivered to the church as a tribute to her and mothers everywhere.
Later that afternoon, over 15,000 people attended a Mother’s Day service at an auditorium in Philadelphia, which Jarvis also organized to establish the first official day honoring moms everywhere. And Mother’s Day was born!
Six years later, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson adopted the second Sunday in May as the official holiday to celebrate our mothers. In the century since the tradition of Mother’s Day has been primarily driven by the floral and greeting card industries, it is now a hugely successful day for both.
Without florists delivering carnations every second Sunday in May, the holiday may have slipped into obscurity. Instead, millions of flowers are purchased for mothers yearly, making it one of the biggest days to sell flowers.
Of course, the carnation colors have specific meanings, too!
Red carnations are shared to signify respect for all the mothers we're fortunate enough to have in our lives.
White carnations are displayed in honor of the mothers who have passed and are no longer with us.
Right now, being thankful for our mothers and families is more important than ever. While finding ways to be together might be challenging, keeping with tradition by sending carnations to a mom in your life is a simple, sweet way to show that you care. We'd highly recommend supporting your local florists by purchasing carnations where they are available in your community. Head over to the Flower Shop Network to locate a florist in your community so you can support them and the tradition of Mother's Day!
The entire Details Flowers family wishes our mothers, and mothers everywhere, a very happy Mother's Day. We hope you can hug your mom or share some flowers! Happy Mother's Day!