The first official Mother's Day was borne out of the vision of Anna Jarvis, who sought to create a day dedicated solely to honoring mothers and their sacrifices. Following her mother's death in 1905, Jarvis began advocating for a day that would celebrate the significance of motherhood. She believed that mothers should be recognized not just for their social roles but as individuals worthy of reverence and appreciation. In 1908, the first Mother's Day celebration took place during a service at Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where Jarvis had arranged for the church to honor mothers. This service included a memorial for mothers who had passed away, and attendees wore white carnations as a tribute. The event drew significant attention and was well-received by the community, inspiring Jarvis to work towards making Mother's Day a nationally recognized holiday.

As Jarvis advocated for her cause, she organized events throughout the country and wrote to numerous leaders, promoting the adoption of Mother's Day. Her efforts bore fruit when, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. This gesture solidified the day as a national holiday, allowing people across the United States to celebrate their mothers annually and participate in community events designed to honor them. From its humble beginnings, Mother's Day evolved into a culturally significant day celebrated by millions of Americans, representing a deep acknowledgment of maternal influence and love.