PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 2001 – On a small pedestrian island in the middle of Center City stands an historic marker proclaiming;

"Mother’s Day. Founded by Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia. First officially observed in 1908, it honored motherhood & family life at a time of rising feminist activism. An early supporter was John Wanamaker, whose store stood opposite. Mother’s Day was given federal recognition, 1914." (Photo available.)

Although never a mother herself, Anna Jarvis adopted the cause of honoring mothers and spearheaded a letter-writing campaign to ministers, businessmen and politicians.

She proposed that on the second Sunday in May, everyone wear a carnation: pink or red if your mother was living, white if she was deceased. Six years after Philadelphia enacted Mother’s Day, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national holiday. Once observed by wearing a single carnation, today Mother’s Day is second only to Christmas in flower sales, and is the most popular day of the year for dining out.

The tradition of pampering mom still thrives. Among Philadelphia’s most indulgent Mother’s Day itineraries is the Four Seasons Philadelphia’s "Get-Away-From-It-All, Mom" package which gives mom a night by herself with a juicy novel, a glass of champagne, parking, breakfast in bed, and a "do not disturb" order on the phone, as well as toys to take home for the family. (Dad and the kids can join too – with babysitting arranged by concierge – if that’s her preference.) The price is $280 plus tax and gratuities. For reservations, call (800) 332-3442.

For more togetherness, mothers and daughters can stay together at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia. Check in the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Take hers and hers beauty treatments at the spa, afternoon tea in the magnificent Rotunda, or let the hotel arrange transportation to King of Prussia Plaza for a shop-til-you-drop splurge. For reservations, call (215) 735-7700.

May is also the World’s Largest Garden Party month in Philadelphia and gardens area a perennial favorite for Mothers. Stock up at the plant sales at Morris Arboretum (May 12-13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 215/247-5777) or the Brandywine River Museum (May 12-13, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 610/388-2700). Or spend Mother’s Day among tea or wildflowers: Mother’s Day Tea Ceremony at the Japanese House and Garden (May 13, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., $15, 215/878-5097) or Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk at Tyler Arboretum (May 13, 1-3 p.m., 610/566-9134.) For a full calendar of Garden Party events, visit www.libertynet.org/gardens.

Information about additional Mother’s Day brunches, teas, spa visits and overnight getaways in Philadelphia is available at www.gophila.com.

Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia and Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia visit www.gophila.com or call (888) GO-PHILA.

Note to Editors: For photographic images of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside, visit the photo gallery section of www.gophila.com/pressroom/

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