Site Map ·  First Alert ·  Talk to 12
Mostly Cloudy
Temp: 35 F (2 C)
Humidity: 85
Heat Index: NA
Home  ·   News  ·   StormTeam 12  ·   News 12 Sports  ·   On Your Side  ·   Community  ·   Contests  ·   12 on TV  ·   12 Anywhere  ·   The News 12 Team  ·   Jobs  ·   What's On
EducationTeam12 · HealthTeam12 · CrimeTeam12 · Politics · Entertainment · Traffic · Buzz on Biz · Your Money Matters · Home and Family · Special Coverage
Call 803-278-3111 with news tips
12 On Your Cell - news, weather, and sports on the go
Download News 12 First Alert
E-News - get the latest headlines via email
Mother's Day celebration reaches 100th anniversary Save Email Print
Posted: 8:48 AM May 11, 2008
Last Updated: 8:48 AM May 11, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press

A | A | A

GRAFTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Mother's Day turns 100 today.

And there are doubts about whether the woman credited with creating one of the world's most celebrated holidays would be pleased with how commercial it's become.

Anna Jarvis thought the appropriate gift would be a single, white carnation to signify the purity of a mother's love.

Jarvis never married and never had children herself but got the idea for a day to honor mothers from her mother. In 1908, three years after her mother died, Jarvis organized the first official Mother's Day service at a church in Grafton, West Virginia, where her mother had taught Sunday school.

That church has become a shrine to mothers around the world. And the congregation will be celebrating today's anniversary by giving each mother attending a special service a white carnation.

The National Retail Federation estimates Americans will spend 15 billion dollars honoring their mothers this year. The number-one expense: dining out.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

More Stories
Alaska Democrats pan Palin for partisan travel

Governor, comptroller disagree on when to cut

Panel: Bio attack likely in next 5 years

Panel: Bio attack likely in next 5 years

Small town police chief killed in wreck

Home Market Foods recalls frozen beef sandwich portions

Ford weighs selling Volvo amid industry downturn

Museum to Mark Rights Declaration Anniversary

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
AP Video
Sponsored Headlines