Memorial Day & Decoration Day: Finally crediting courageous former slaves—plus tips on recipes & music, too

Memorial Day flags flying in a Minnesota cemetery. Photo by Ben Franske, released courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Memorial Day flags flying in a Minnesota cemetery. Photo by Ben Franske, released courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

MONDAY, MAY 27: This year, we are two years away from the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day, which began in May 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Here’s a convenient Index to other stories about 150th anniversaries of Civil War and Lincoln-related events.)

That means: In time for the Memorial Day sesquicentennial in 2015, newer American history books now include the real history—thanks largely to historian David Blight’s tireless campaign to correct the record. You might recognize Blight’s name from a number of PBS Civil War documentaries in which he appears as an expert on the era. (Blight most recently spoke in PBS’s epic miniseries The Abolitionists.)

BUT FIRST, THE HOLIDAY NEWS!
For Memorial Day 2013, watch your driving—and your seat belts! Nationwide, law enforcement officers are warning that Click It or Ticket policies will be in full force. Also, look for historic deals: Look around your region at history-themed parks and museums. Some will be opening for the summer season around this three-day weekend. Some have special Memorial weekend deals for visitors, including special offers for veterans. And, observe the Moment of Silence. The official national Moment of Silence, established by federal action, is actually a rolling minute of silence, set for 3 p.m. in your respective time zone.

MAY 26: PBS MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT

PBS National Memorial Day ConcertDon’t miss this! It’s on the evening before Memorial Day—Sunday May 26—carried via the PBS network nationwide from Washington D.C.

Click the photo, at right, to visit the official PBS Concert website for details about the event. According to PBS’s pre-broadcast plan for the live event: The program will be co-hosted for the eighth year by Joe Mantegna (a film and Broadway actor who is best known on TV for Criminal Minds) and Gary Sinise (CSI: New York). Both actors dedicate time throughout the year to supporting veterans and troops in active service. They will be joined by a line-up including: Gen. Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.) and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jack Everly—plus a number of pop and classical singers. The concert is broadcast live on PBS and via American Forces Network to the nearly one million American service men and women stationed at bases in 175 countries and 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea, as well as Department of Defense civilians and their families overseas.

THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY AKA DECORATION DAY:
PROPERLY CREDITING COURAGEOUS FORMER SLAVES

Library of Congress preserves this photo taken in 1865 while the African-American reconstruction of the cemetery in Charleston was in progress. The rows of markers are newly established individual Union graves.

Library of Congress preserves this photo taken in 1865 while the African-American reconstruction of the cemetery in Charleston was in progress. The rows of markers are newly established individual Union graves.

All American history books haven’t been revised—and some websites produced by various agencies of the federal government still have the “old” versions of the “first” Memorial or Decoration Day. One U.S. veterans website still credits Waterloo, New York, as well as some Confederate women’s groups in 1866 as the “firsts.” So, ReadTheSpirit celebrates the growing awareness of the role of courageous former slaves in 1865. Now, Wikipedia, the PBS network itself and a growing number of history textbooks credit the courageous former slaves in 1865 with the “first.”

As of Memorial Day 2013, Wikipedia now reports:

The first well-known observance of a Memorial Day-type observance after the Civil War was in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865. During the war, Union soldiers who were prisoners of war had been held at the Charleston Race Course; at least 257 Union prisoners died there and were hastily buried in unmarked graves. … Blacks in Charleston organized a May Day ceremony in 1865, which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers. The freedmen had cleaned up and landscaped the burial ground, building an enclosure and an arch labeled, “Martyrs of the Race Course.” Nearly 10,000 people, mostly freedmen, gathered on May 1 to commemorate the dead. Involved were 3,000 schoolchildren newly enrolled in freedmen’s schools, mutual aid societies, Union troops, and black ministers and white northern missionaries. Most brought flowers to lay on the burial field. Today the site is used as Hampton Park. Years later, the celebration would come to be called the “First Decoration Day” in the North.

David W. Blight described the day:  “This was the first Memorial Day. African Americans invented Memorial Day in Charleston, South Carolina. What you have there is black Americans recently freed from slavery announcing to the world with their flowers, their feet, and their songs what the War had been about. What they basically were creating was the Independence Day of a Second American Revolution.”

ReadTheSpirit online magazine has been covering this progressive correction of our American historical record for a number of years. For more on David Blight’s work and the Charleston event in 1865—including the text of a contemporary newspaper story—see this earlier Memorial Day story we published.

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS, FAMOUS RECIPES & GREAT OLD SONGS!

Columbia Gem of the Ocean sheet music from Library of CongressNewspapers, magazines and TV programs will be packed with Memorial Day tips and recipes this week, but our federal government also does an impressive job of collecting information you’ll want to share.

SAFETY TIPS: Federal agencies are great sources of tips to keep you safe and happy on this weekend when millions of Americans love to organize picnics and launch into outdoor sports for the first time, each year. The Food and Drug Administration provides some very helpful barbecue and food tips. And, the U.S. Coast Guard weighs in on boating and water safety.

FAMOUS RECIPES: In this one web page, you’ll find links to sought-after recipes for a rich White House Beer (made with honey from a White House bee hive), the famous U.S. Senate Bean Soup, Mamie Eisenhower’s Million Dollar Fudge that kept Ike happy for years, Bess Truman’s mac and cheese and Senator Mikulski’s Favorite Crab Cakes, direct from the Maryland shore.

GREAT OLD SONGS: The Libary of Congress has one of the best online indexes for Memorial-themed reflection—featuring links to patriotic American songs. The Library of Congress index provides stories about the origin of these classics, plus many of these links lead to high-resolution images of early sheet music you can print. The list of nearly 30 venerable tunes includes: America the Beautiful, Anchors Aweigh, Columbia the Gem of the Ocean, Fanfare for the Common Man, Marines’ Hymn, This Land is Your Land and You’re a Grand Old Flag.

(Originally published at www.ReadTheSpirit.com, an online magazine covering religion, spirituality, interfaith news and cross-cultural issues.)

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Categories: National Observances

Declaration of the Bab: Baha’is unite for faith’s anniversary

Upper view of tropical garden with palms

A portion of the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, Israel. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

THURSDAY, MAY 23: About 5 million Baha’is worldwide commemorate the Declaration of the Bab today in a tradition that launched their faith on this date in 1844. Specifically, it was on this date that Mulla Husayn, a pupil of Siyyid Kazim-i-Rashti, succeeded in his mission of locating the forerunner of the coming Messiah. After several tests, Mulla Husayn regarded that the young man he had met was, indeed, the mysterious one that had been sought for several years. It was from their meeting on this date in Shiraz, Persia, that Siyyid Ali Muhammad shed his former name and adopted a new one: the Bab, otherwise known as the Gate. Mulla Husayn became the Bab’s first disciple.

Baha’is look to Baha’u'llah as the founder of their faith—but the Bab is an extremely important prophetic forerunner, sometimes compared by Baha’is to a combination of Elijah and John the Baptist in Judeo-Christian tradition.

Note: Although Baha’i days begin in the evening, May 23 is the date adherents refrain from work or school in light of the holy day.

THE SPIRITUAL SEARCH OF MULLA HUSAYN

The story of this holy day begins 61 years prior to the Siyyid Ali Muhammad’s declaration, when the first man began preaching of the coming of the Qa’im, or the Promised One of Islam. Upon this man’s death, his favored pupil (Siyyid Kazim-i-Rashti) continued spreading the message. Although met with much resistance by authorities, Siyyid continued his mission until his death, when he sent his own pupils—among them Mulla Husayn—to search for the Qa’im. The pupils spread, and on this journey, Mulla Husayn, his brother and nephew arrived in Shiraz in May of 1844. One evening, Mulla Husayn was greeted by a young man and invited to his home for refreshment. Mulla Husayn consented, and it was on this evening, after tea and evening prayer, that he tested his host. (Read more from Bahai.us.) The writings of Mulla Husayn indicate that he was astonished by the demeanor, wisdom and kindness of the young man; Siyyid Ali Muhammad far surpassed each test that Mulla Husayn had prepared. By the end of the evening, Siyyid Ali Muhammad announced that the date would become one of the most significant festivals to be celebrated.

AN AGE OF DRAMATIC DECLARATIONS

The age of the Bab’s declaration was bursting with dramatic religious declarations. In the United States in the 1830s, Joseph Smith was organizing his Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shaker utopian communities were at their peak. And, in the early 1840s, Millerites were declaring that Jesus was soon to return to Earth. Just as many Christians were proclaiming dramatic new revelations—many Muslims also were seeking a Promised One. In this regard, the Bab announced on the evening of May 22, 1844, that his divine revelation would prepare humanity for the Promised One of all religions. (Access prayers and meditative music at New York Baha’i.)

During his short life in the public eye, the Bab attracted thousands of followers; the Baha’i faith now claims more than 5 million followers across the globe. Estimates vary, some placing the number as high as 7 million; others below 5 million. Baha’is now live in more than 200 countries around the world.

50TH ANNIVERSARY: INTERNATIONAL BAHA’I CONVENTION

More than 1,000 Baha’i representatives from around the world gathered at the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, Israel, earlier this month, to both reflect on their faith and elect a new international council. Convention attendees marked the 50th anniversary of their inaugural convention of 1963, at which the first international governing council—which, to this day, serves a five-year term—was elected. The state of the faith, including ongoing persecution in some parts of the world, was discussed at the gathering. A bouquet of red roses remained at the front of the stage throughout the Convention, noting the absence of the imprisoned Baha’i leaders in Iran. (Baha’i World News Service reported.)

‘FIVE YEARS TOO MANY’ CAMPAIGN REIGNS STRONG

In commemoration of the five-year anniversary of the imprisonment of seven Iranian Baha’i leaders, Baha’is throughout the world took part in an international awareness campaign. (Read more from the Baha’i World News Service.) Highlights from the 10-day campaign are featured on a site dedicated to the cause, with stories from Baha’is in Paris, Latvia, New Delhi, Chile, Canada, Germany and the UK.

(Originally published at www.ReadTheSpirit.com, an online magazine covering religion, spirituality, interfaith news and cross-cultural issues.)

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PENTECOST: Down the Holy Ghost Hole with doves and petals

View forward of church decorated in red banners

A Pentecost vigil at Dulce Nombre Church in Honduras. Photo courtesy of Flickr

SUNDAY, MAY 19: Doves descend, rose petals blanket church floors and flames flicker—all as Christian symbols of “The Birthday of the Church” nearly 2,000 years ago. For Western Christians, this is widely regarded as the second most significant holiday of the year: Pentecost.

Tongues of FlameFifty days following Easter, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Jesus’s mother Mary and others in what tradition says was the Upper Room in Jerusalem. The second chapter of the Book of Acts puts it this way: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

Yes, if you are a regular reader of this column, you know that this is the same “Pentecost” that is celebrated today as Shavuot, which is described in the previous holiday column in this series. Remember that Jesus and his followers were Jewish and followed Jewish religious customs, so naturally they would gather for this important traditional holiday. As Notre Dame historian Candida Moss just pointed out in a ReadTheSpirit interview, “Christians” didn’t widely emerge under that name until the end of the first century. What took them by surprise was this life-changing experience of the Holy Spirit on that day in Jerusalem.

THE FIRST DRUNK CHRISTIANS?

According to Christian tradition, this explosion of spiritual energy included a spontaneous ability to talk in the languages of other visitors to Jerusalem, giving Jesus’s followers an opportunity to begin communicating their message to many people. Of course, as Acts tells the story—they seemed drunk to their neighbors in Jerusalem. People made fun of their wild new enthusiasm.

Then, the The Apostle Peter proclaimed that the event was a fulfillment of an ancient plan. Acts says he declared: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says,I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.‘”

‘WHITSUNDAY’:
FROM WHITE TO RED

From its earliest days, Pentecost was a time to commemorate baptisms in the Western Christian Church; the nickname “Whitsun” or “Whitsunday” was soon attached to Pentecost, to signify the wearing of white. The nickname “Whit Sunday” remains in England today, where Whit Walks continue to take place and the processions often include brass bands and girls in white. In some areas of England, Morris Dancing and cheese rolling are popular Pentecostal activities. Outside of select English regions of the world, however, vestments, banners and décor bear a vibrant red color. Confirmations are celebrated, hanging banners declare the fire and joy of the Holy Spirit and many lay people wear red clothing to church. (Learn more about the Catholic view of the Holy Spirit from the Global Catholic Network.)

THE HOLY GHOST HOLE

Sicilian Pentecost vigils remarkably illustrate the Holy Spirit’s tongues of fire, as thousands of red rose petals are thrown from galleries over the congregation; modern practice has moved toward the stringing of hundreds of origami doves from the ceiling. (Get more information, and customs, at Fish Eaters.) In the Middle Ages, however, cathedrals and churches in Western Europe were built for this very purpose in that an architectural feature known as a Holy Ghost Hole was cut into the roof. (Wikipedia has details.) Symbolically, the Holy Ghost Hole allowed the Holy Spirit to descend upon the congregation at any given time, although at Pentecost the hole was adorned with flowers and a dove was lowered into the church. A wooden dove still descends over congregations in some regions, and Holy Ghost Holes can be seen in several European churches and cathedrals today.

THE ‘BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH’

Due to the events of Pentecost, many Christians now refer to this day as the “Birthday of the Church.” Brass ensembles and trumpets bring to mind the mighty winds of the Holy Spirit, while Scripture is popularly read in multiple languages. Pentecost Monday is a public holiday in much of Europe and some African nations.

Because of the East-West difference in dating Easter this year, Eastern Orthodox Christians will observe Pentecost on June 23.

(Originally published at www.ReadTheSpirit.com, an online magazine covering religion, spirituality, interfaith news and cross-cultural issues.)

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SHAVUOT: A harvest festival leads to thanks for the Torah

Crowd of thousands of Jews gather at Western Wall at dusk

Thousands of Jews gather at the Western Wall on Shavuot. Photo released via Wikimedia Commons

SUNSET TUESDAY, MAY 14: Synagogues are decorated with greenery and flowers tonight, mimicking the top of Mount Sinai, as Jews wrap up a seven-week period of anticipation known as the Counting of the Omer. The Counting of the Omer ends today, giving way to Shavuot: the celebration of the day G_d gave the Torah to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. Due to the counting of seven weeks leading up to Shavuot, Shavuot is also known as the Festival of Weeks.

The ancient festival prompts many stories and interpretations. One of them emphasizes: The movement from the Counting of the Omer to Shavuot connects the physical freedom in the Exodus with the spiritual freedom of the presentation of the Torah. During Passover, which was weeks ago, Jews acknowledged the physical freedom given to the ancient Israelites through the Exodus; more specifically, this physical freedom was acknowledged on the second day of Passover, when the Counting of the Omer began. Each night since, observant Jews have remembered the current count of days until they reach day 49. Today—day 50—Jews recognize the official presentation of the Torah. This, the 50th day, is also sometimes called Pentecost, although the Jewish religious associations with the holiday are different than the Christian Pentecost. (Learn more about Shavuot from the Jewish Virtual Library.)

Shavuot is one of the Jewish observances that differs, depending on location. In Israel, it’s one day; in the rest of the world, it’s two days.

OVERFLOWING BASKETS AND DECORATED OXEN

Bikurim or Bikkurim Basket of grapesAncient Israelites marked the spring grain harvest for seven weeks. “Omer” is an ancient measure of grain. When that first harvest ended at Shavuot, farmers would bring an offering of two loaves of bread to the Temple of Jerusalem. In the same manner, the first fruits of Israel (Bikkurim) were brought to the Temple on Shavuot. In a grand display, farmers would fill baskets woven of gold and silver with the Seven Species—wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates—and load the glittering baskets onto oxen whose horns were laced with flowers. (Wikipedia has details.) These oxen and farmers would travel to Jerusalem, marching through towns and met by music, parades and other festivities.

To this day, many Jewish families display baskets of “First Fruits,” including foods of wheat, barley, grapes, wine, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.

SHAVUOT: DAIRY, RUTH & THE WESTERN WALL

Among the many customs associated with Shavuot are the consumption of dairy products and the reading of the Book of Ruth and, for many observant Jews, an all-night Torah study. Several explanations exist for these traditions. One is: Jews recall the night the Torah was given and how the ancient Israelites overslept. Although Moses had to awaken the ancient Israelites, Jews today remain awake throughout the night, all the while giving thanks for the Torah. In Jerusalem, the all-night Torah study ends with the procession of tens of thousands to the Western Wall at dawn.

Work is not permitted during the entirety of Shavuot. Looking for dairy recipes to prepare for the holiday? This Jewish blog offers Kale and Mushroom Quinoa ‘Mac and Cheese,’ and Haaretz suggests Yam, Goat Cheese and Rosemary Quiche.

For more holiday inspiration, enjoy …

Author Debra Darvick offers her introduction to Shavuot from her popular collection of real-life stories: This Jewish Life.

AND: If you’ve enjoyed this holiday article—and you’re especially drawn toward the inspiration of nature: Enjoy Debra Darvick’s column on discovering irises in the desert.

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FEAST OF THE ASCENSION: Christians rejoice in Christ’s rising

Painting of Christ ascended above a crowd

Photo released via Wikimedia Commons

THURSDAY, MAY 9 & SUNDAY, MAY 12: Head to the hills today—if you’re a Christian, that is—because today is the Feast of the Ascension, celebrating Christ’s raising up into Heaven. In many areas, it’s common to climb nearby hills or mountains to commemorate Jesus ascending from what is traditionally described as the Mount of Olives. The feast is the Ascension (or Ascensio in Latin) to indicate to Christians Christ was raised up by His own powers.

Although the feast officially falls on May 9—and June 13, in the Eastern Church—most countries have received permission from the Vatican to move the feast’s observance to Sunday. (Wikipedia has details.) Australia, Ireland, Canada, England and most of the United States are just a few of the countries that will commemorate the Feast of the Ascension on Sunday, although a few U.S. cities—including Boston, New York and Philadelphia—retain the Thursday observance.

The Feast of the Ascension remains, quite possibly, one of the oldest commemorations of the Church. Although there is no documentary evidence of the feast prior to the 5th century, St. Augustine mentions it to be of Apostolic origin, and experts believe it may have instead been observed in combination with Easter or Pentecost.

Regardless, various customs have arisen through the centuries for this holiday, ranging from torch processions outside of churches to the elevation of a Christ figure through an opening in the church roof. In England, parishioners would often parade a banner with a lion at the front and a dragon at the back, symbolizing Christ’s triumph over the devil. Johann Sebastian Bach composed multiple cantatas for today’s services. (Learn more customs from FishEaters.)

POPE FRANCIS ON THE ASCENSION

Pope Francis recently preached about the Feast of the Ascension, in a declaration of “The courage to do great things, the humility to appreciate the little things.” Though observing the Feast of St. Mark at the time, Pope Francis spoke of the passage in the Gospel of Mark that describes the Ascension of Jesus. The homily focused on Jesus, prior to the Ascension, sending the apostles forth to preach the Gospel “to the end of the world.” (Read more from Radio Vatican.) Pope Francis urged today’s Christians, in a likewise manner, should continue this vocation.

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YOM YERUSHALAYIM: Jews unite with the Old City on Jerusalem Day

Crowd of Jews dressed waving Israeli flags

Jews rejoice for Jerusalem on Yom Yerushalayim. Photo in public domain

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8: Thousands of Israeli flags wave high through the streets of Jerusalem today—many as part of the annual Flag Parade—as Jews in the Old City mark Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day). Historically, Jews recall the reunification of Jerusalem and the institution of Israeli control over the Old City, in 1967; religiously, Jews thank G_d for answering their millennia-old plea of, “Next year in Jeruslaem” and rejoice for their ability to, once again, pray at the Western Wall. (Learn more about the Jewish flag in this piece from the Jewish Press.)

Contrary to the popularity of Israel’s national day, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Yom Yerushalayim is rarely commemorated by those outside of Israel; some liberal Jews even find the holiday disconcerting, due to the continuing conflicts over the Old City. In Jerusalem, however, special prayers are recited in every synagogue; schoolchildren learn the significance of the Old City; state ceremonies are conducted and Jews sing and dance in the streets. (Aish.com has related stories and more.) Today, Jews across Israel hike, bike and drive to Jerusalem, visually declaring their solidarity with the Old City.

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Mother’s Day: ‘Arise, women!’ (Know the origins of the holiday?)

“Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or of tears! Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.”

-Excerpted and adapted by Ken Sehested, from Julia Ward Howe’s “Appeal to Womanhood Throughout the World,” September 1870

Caucasion mother kisses baby over shoulder

Photo courtesy of Goodnight Photography Studio, via Flickr

SUNDAY, MAY 12: Give thanks to Mom, Grandma and any maternal figure in your life today on this, the second Sunday of May—it’s Mother’s Day.

The modern observance of Mother’s Day began with Anna Jarvis in 1908, when she collaborated with the founder of Bethany Temple Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. From the beginning, Jarvis specified the day should be “Mother’s Day,” as a singular possessive, so that each person would honor their own mother. Jarvis herself promoted the holiday tirelessly until she caught the attention of President Woodrow Wilson, who made the day an official national holiday in 1914. (Wikipedia has details.) Unfortunately, the day became so commercialized that Jarvis later regretted having established the holiday at all.

Did you know? Mother’s Day yields the highest church attendance after Christmas Eve and Easter. Most churches honor their congregation’s mothers in some way—with a special prayer, perhaps, or in many congregations with a flower.

In search of the perfect gift? Kaboose offers up do-it-yourself ideas for kids, while Mother Nature Network suggests gifts for moms who love gardening. For unique moms, Huffington Post has “weird” gifts, and Fox News suggests gifts that will boost Mom’s health.

Cooking Mom brunch? Look to Martha Stewart and AllRecipes for ideas and recipes. Or, visualize America’s 10 coolest Mother’s Day Brunches with a photo slideshow from ABC News.

African mother carries sleeping baby

Photo courtesy of Fotopedia

Care to care more? The Mother’s Day Movement supports women and girls in the developing world, with the belief that empowered women strongly impact the lives of their children and their communities. Help these women by donating your portion of the $14 billion spent annually on Mother’s Day. This year, the Mother’s Day Movement is focusing on the Fistula Foundation, which aids women who often suffer lifelong isolation resulting from difficulties in childbirth.

Or, try a Mother’s Day Prayer or learn the Catholic perspective with these Mother’s Day resources.

Want Mother’s Day By the Numbers? Check out Patch.com.

MOTHER’S DAY: A GREAT (FREE) IDEA & A FUN TV MOVIE

ReadTheSpirit is offering a couple of great ideas:
First, columnist Bobbie Lewis writes about the importance of actually setting aside time to talk to Mom and to listen to her. She calls her story Questions Left Unanswered; Stories Left Untold. Simple. Free. And, a great idea.
Second, ReadTheSpirit recommends a Hallmark movie debut this week, called The Confession, based on a best-selling Amish-themed novel by Beverly Lewis. It’s about a wealthy mother trying to find her long-lost Amish daughter.

MOTHER’S DAY: ORIGINS OF THE HOLIDAY

Asian origin mother and baby look into distance

Photo courtesy of Flickr

While the modern observance of Mother’s Day began just a century ago, celebrations for women and mothers have been common throughout history. Greeks worshipped the mother goddess Cybele, while the Romans held the festival of Hilaria; Christians have observed Mothering Sunday for centuries, while Hindus have honored “Mata Tirtha Aunshi,” or “Mother Pilgrimage Fortnight.” The first American attempts for a “Mother’s Day for Peace” arose in the 1870s, when Julia Ward Howe called on mothers to support disarmament in the Civil War and Franco-Prussian War. Several decades later, Anna Jarvis created a holiday that became the Mother’s Day we know today.

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