The story behind Mother's Day -and why it's so important

The story behind Mother's Day -and why it's so important: "For most of the last century, we have marked the occasion of Mother's Day with bouquets, chocolates, gifts and brunch. The founder of Mother's Day was appalled.

In fact, shortly after her decadelong campaign to have Mother's Day proclaimed, Anna Jarvis became its most ferocious adversary.

According to historians -most notably Katharine Antolini at West Virginia Wesleyan College, whose PhD dissertation is the definitive work on her life -Jarvis wanted to dedicate a holy day to honour mothers, and chose the second Sunday in May, the anniversary of the death of her own mother.

In 1908, she arranged a simple service at her mother's church, at which 500 white carnations were distributed to members of the congregation, and another larger gathering in an auditorium at which she spoke."