"The United States celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. Julia Ward Howe first issued her Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870 as a call for women to join in support of disarmament, and asked for 2th June 1872 to be established as a “Mother’s Day for Peace”….
…The current holiday was created by Anna Jarvis in Grafton, West Virginia, in 1908 as a day to honor one’s mother. Jarvis wanted to accomplish her mother’s dream of making a celebration for all mothers, although the idea did not take off until she enlisted the services of wealthy Philadelphia merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure John Wanamaker, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a pioneer in marketing."
…The current holiday was created by Anna Jarvis in Grafton, West Virginia, in 1908 as a day to honor one’s mother. Jarvis wanted to accomplish her mother’s dream of making a celebration for all mothers, although the idea did not take off until she enlisted the services of wealthy Philadelphia merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure John Wanamaker, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a pioneer in marketing."
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In other words, Americans didn’t support a “Mothers Day” until it sold them something….and the rest is marketing history.
Women, except perhaps for children, are the most intensely advertised at humans on the planet. Even the ads for men are aimed subconsciously at women.
So enjoy your “Hallmark Holiday” America, and remember; Crass Commercial Consumerism and Peace On Earth cannot coexist.
All sources via Wikipedia Mothers Day, John Wanamaker
