With World War II winding down in Europe, President Harry S. Truman issued a proclamation calling on the nation to give special attention to Mother’s Day.

“It is fitting that we acknowledge a new our gratitude, love and devotion to the mothers of America,” the proclamation read. “In this year of the war’s greatest intensity, we are ever mindful of their splendid courage and steadfast loyalty to the highest ideals of our democracy.”

Calling the American mother “the greatest source of the country’s strength and inspiration,” Truman requested the observance of May 13, 1945, Mother’s Day, and called for the display of the American flag on government buildings, homes and other suitable places on that day.

“And I urge that by our prayers, by our devotion to duty, and by evidences of affection, we give expression to our love and reverence for America’s mothers.”

Truman signed the proclamation on April 17, 1945, almost a month before Mother’s Day.

Perhaps by coincidence, or maybe not, the declaration came 21 days before WWII ended in Europe on May 8, 1945, termed V-E Day.

Interestingly, the war ended in Europe one day short of 31 years after President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May “Mother’s Day” on May 9, 1914.

Traditionally, vendors sold carnations for churchgoers to wear on Mother’s Day – red if mother was alive, white if she had passed.

Frank Hering, of Notre Dame University, floated the idea of Mother’s Day as early as 1904. Ana Jarvis, a Philadelphia native, started a campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day in 1907.

The Schuylkill Haven Ministerium endorsed President Truman’s proclamation, holding a Mother’s Day service and calling upon all people to a National Day of Prayer.

The organization called on all people to unite in prayer and supplication in an effort to establish international freedom and liberty for all peoples.

Special Mother’s Day services were also held in Salem Evangelical and St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed churches in Orwigsburg.

Rev. W. H. Egge, national chaplain to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, or POSofA, delivered a sermon entitled “Praising God for Victory” at Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church in Frackville.

And in Shenandoah, the Elks Lodge held a solemn ritual honoring mothers.

Rev. J. P. Briggs, pastor of All Saints Episcopal Church, called special attention to the sacrifices of Gold Star mothers in his sermon.

“Their exemplary conduct and untiring efforts are the foundation of building strong character,” he said. “Character that will someday enable, not only various communities, but nations to rise to unknown heights.”

Recalling his mother’s death when he was a child, Briggs prayed that in all generations the love of mother would burn brightly as it had that day – 80 years ago today.

Originally Published: May 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM EDT