MOTHER'S DAY. The honor of the origination of Mother's Day belongs to Miss Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia. Her mother died in 1906. On Sunday, 9 May 1907, she told a friend whom she had invited to remember with her the anniversary of the death of her mother of her desire to dedicate a day to all mothers. Before the next anniversary came she had interested many individuals and organ izations in the observance of the second Sun day in May as Mother's Day. As a result of her efforts, Philadelphia observed the day, 10 May 1908. Miss Jarvis then became the mis sionary of the idea. She wrote thousands of letters to influential men in all walks of life. She interviewed many public men and pleaded for the observance of the day. Since 1912 the governor of Texas has observed the day by pardoning a number of prisoners on that day. State after State has adopted its observ ance. In May 1913 Pennsylvania made it a State holiday. On 10 May 1913 a resolution passed the Senate and the House of Representa tives to make the second Sunday in May a national holiday, Meditated to the memory of the best mothei- in the wbrid, your mother.*
Miss Jarvis has been the means of organizing a national and an international organization to further the promotion of the observance of the day. It began to be observed in England as early as 1913. The second Sunday in May is observed in all churches irrespective of creed, and the previous Friday is observed in all the public schools. The previous day is observed in business establishments. It is observed "through some distinct act of kindness, visit, letter, gift, or tribute to show remembrance of the mother to whom general affection is due." It is also observed as Father's Day, and "is designed to perpetuate all family ties? Its slogan is in honor of "the best mother who ever lived? The badge of the day is a white carnation.