Mother’s Day Was Arguably Invented in Kentucky and Here’s Why:
Where was mother’s day invented? Although Mother’s Day was officially recognized as a holiday in West Virginia in 1910, there were many prior attempts to establish a holiday honoring mother’s. Mary Towles Sasseen of Henderson, Kentucky was the first attempt, however Anna Jarvis of West Virginia made the celebration a national holiday in 1914.
SEE ALSO: Kentucky Gift Shop and Local Souvenirs
What is the true origin of Mother’s day?
Between the 1920’s-1930’s, there had been a controversial battle as to who officially founded Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis did not admit to the fact that other’s had attempted to celebrate the holiday, and claimed that Sasseen of Kentucky had nothing to do with it as she did not put forth the effort or claim “Mother’s Day Inc.” Although Sasseen did not take claim of the holiday and establish it with international association, she was in fact the first to propose a day entirely devoted to a Mother’s life.
Mary Towles Sasseen Anna Jarvis
Mother’s Day Invented in Kentucky:
In the 19th century, there were numerous attempts to establish a holiday honoring motherhood. These celebrations were more-so on a local scale, or tied together with politics. For example, one mother’s day holiday was celebrated to honor peace, while the other was to discourage drinking. Importantly, the first major event in efforts to establish a national holiday solely to celebrate motherhood was invented in Kentucky.
The founder, Mary Towles Sasseen from Henderson, Kentucky held a Mother’s Day celebration on April 20, 1887, which was her Mother’s birthday. Being that she was a teacher, her main goal was to get children to celebrate the holiday in schools. In 1893, Sasseen published “Mother’s Day Celebration” a 32 page pamphlet detailing her vision for the holiday.
MADE IN KENTUCKY:
>>> Check out this awesome list of products that are made in our home state of Kentucky. <<
“… in the hope of awakening on the part of the child, a deeper appreciation of her, who is the central figure of the home. That it may strengthen the family bonds, making them more beautiful and tender, that is may breathe a hope of that future, where language is music, thought is light, and love is law.”
– Excerpt from “Mother’s Day Celebration” – Mary Towles Sasseen
Undoubtedly, Sasseen was motivated to spread popularity of the holiday across the nation. She traveled across the country promoting Mother’s Day at schools and education conferences and was successful in doing so at the public schools of Springfield, Ohio.
Sasseen retired from teaching due to poor health, however, continued to campaign for Mother’s Day. Sadly, she died at childbirth in 1908, two days prior to her Mother’s Birthday, and just shortly after Anna Jarvis started pushing for the establishment of the holiday.
Even though it was Jarvis that made the holiday official, many argue that it was more so the doing of a Kentucky school teacher who laid the groundwork for the idea long before Miss Jarvis did in 1907.
Be sure to follow our Instagram and ‘Like’ our Facebook page to get all of the latest Kentucky Shirt releases, new gear and other fun stuff.
