Editor’s note: This story was originally published on May 9, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
Not everything Woodrow Wilson did as U.S. president was a success.
Our 28th president for the most part ignored the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918-19, the deadliest in history, which killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million people worldwide. He is also criticized for refusing to compromise on the Treaty of Versailles after World War I.
But on May 9, 1914, Wilson, acting on a joint congressional resolution, signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
And though he gets some credit for making Mother’s Day official, the world owes a great deal of gratitude to Anna Jarvis, whose lifelong crusade to have a day to honor moms finally was realized.
Colleague Lois Collins’ thoughtful piece on the evolution of Mother’s Day is a delightful and honest read.
“Mother’s Day 100-year history a colorful tale of love, anger and civic unrest”
More on Mother’s Day from Deseret News archives:
“Perspective: The case for Mother’s Day”
“Motherhood through the eyes of 4 generations”
“Mother’s Day a celebration of brokenness, vulnerability and love ”
“Mother’s Day’s colorful history and our favorite stories of motherhood”
"Anna Jarvis’ vision for Mother’s Day was never meant to be commercial"
More on Wilson:
“Wilson offers the Fourteen Points”
“Wilson was 1st president to hold regular press conferences”
Of note: Woodrow Wilson gave two speeches in Utah during his presidency; one in Ogden on the train caboose platform, the other at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Two days after his speech in Salt Lake City, Wilson suffered a stroke, dying two years later.