HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
Millions across the United States (and a few other locations around the world) will celebrate their mothers today with candies, gifts and fancy brunches (it's one of the most popular days of the year to eat out). In the US, Mother's Day was a byproduct of the Civil War (between north and south). Julia Ward Howe called for a Mother's Day for Peace - her idea was furthered by Ann Jarvis who worked to improve sanitary conditions and later acted as a mediator between Union (north) and Confederate (south) neighbors. Her daughter, Anna Jarvis, continued her mother's work which resulted in the national observance of Mother's Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. Because of its quick rise to popularity, Jarvis later condemned the holiday - she was against the rampant commercial product the day had become.