Today in History: Celebrating Mothers
Today in History–May 9–the Library of Congress celebrates mothers. On this day in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, serving “as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources showcasing the women who brought us into the world. And a special shout-out to my wonderful mother: I love you Mom!
The First Mother’s Day from America’s Library
It is mother’s day in the U.S.A sheet music
More mother sheet music
Minha mai = My mother audio recording
More mother songs & oral histories
I Ask My Mother to Sing Poetry 180 poem by Li-Young Lee
Mothers’ day May 14, 1922. A proclamation By the Governor. [Lansing, 1922]
Mothers’ day. May 13, 1923. A proclamation. By the Governor. [Lansing 1923]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Leonard Bernstein illustrated letter to his mother
Topics in Chronicling America – select Mother’s Day newspaper articles (1909-1922)
More Mother’s Day historical newspaper coverage
Library of Congress blog posts about mothers and Mother’s Day
- Celebrating Mothers with Primary Sources Teaching with the Library of Congress May 7, 2015
- A Celebration Tea For Mother’s Day Minerva’s Kaleidoscope May 3, 2023
- An Illustrated Letter for Mother’s Day In the Muse May 7, 2020
- Inspiration for Mother’s Day from the Library’s Collections Minerva’s Kaleidoscope May 7, 2021
- The Mother of Mother’s Day Library of Congress blog May 8, 2016
- Mother’s Day — Pic of the Week In Custodia Legis May 8, 2015
- Motherhood and the Military Folklife Today April 26, 2021
- Say it with flowers Inside Adams May 8, 2010
- Sheet Music of the Week: Mother’s Day Edition In The Muse May 6, 2011
- Some Songs for Mother’s Day Folklife Today May 11, 2014
- Songs for Mother In The Muse May 8, 2010