This Sunday is MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Day. So to all the mothers out there, I hope you have a good day. We owe you all a debt of gratitude because without mothers none of us would be here.

LetSA国际影视传媒檚 start with a little history. How did MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Day start? Most cultures around the world, had some sort of way to honor their parents or ancestors but MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Day, as we know it, is a rather modern holiday. It all started back in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The United States werenSA国际影视传媒檛 very united at the time and the civil war was brewing. A woman named Ann Reeves Jarvis was a peace activist and when the war broke out, she cared for wounded soldiers on both sides. There were a lot of wounded to care for because the civil war was a rather bloody and brutal one. At least 620,000 soldiers lost their lives during it. After the war, Ann created MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Day Work Clubs to address public health issues.

So, she wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 just a woman who talked about doing things, but she actually got out there and did them. When she passed away, her daughter Anna wanted to honour her mother. She continued on with the work and lobbied to have a day set aside to honour all mothers because she believed a mother was, SA国际影视传媒淭he person who has done more for you then anyone else in the world.SA国际影视传媒�

In 1908 she had a memorial service for her mom and all moms, at a church in Grafton West Virginia. The U.S. Senate rejected the idea of making it a holiday and being the all-male club that they were at the time, some joked that if they recognized moms, they would also have to recognize mothers-in laws. I am sure, a few of the senators who joked about it, regretted later when they got home. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson, by passed the senate, and declared it a national holiday.

So that is how MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Day came into being. However, it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 long before card companies, candy makers and flower shops were cashing in on the holiday. This of course angered Anna and in 1923, she was actually arrested for protesting the way it had become commercialized. That has got to be tad ironic.

Now that you know a bit of the history of MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Day, it might change your perception of it a little. It does make you wonder why we donSA国际影视传媒檛 have grandmotherSA国际影视传媒檚 day, grandfatherSA国际影视传媒檚 day, auntSA国际影视传媒檚 day and uncleSA国际影视传媒檚 day. It also goes to show you, what a determined mother can do. It also shows you that while the politicians dither, people can get things done. If you hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 noticed politicians dither a lot and are often way behind public opinion and reality on many issues.

In Yellowknife, MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Day also coincides with the Chamber of Commerce Spring Trade Show, at the multiplex arena this Saturday and Sunday. If you have never been to the Trade Show, it is a lot more interesting and fun, then it may sound. Businesses, organizations and community groups, all have booths. There is stuff for sale, there are some give aways, and a whole lot of information. Plus, there is a food court and a lot of stuff and toys for the summer on display.

It is a good time for a big community event like the trade show because we are in the in-between season or of break up. It's not winter but it isnSA国际影视传媒檛 summer yet either so people really canSA国际影视传媒檛 do much gardening or boating. It is one of those events where most of the town seems to show up to look at what is there and to socialize. One year a person said it was Yellowknife's very own Bizarre Bazaar. I like that description, because it sort of fits. This year at the Yellowknife Historical Society's booth will be handing out pocket ash trays as part of their campaign to make Yellowknife a better and cleaner place.

The one warning I would give people is that the parking lot at the arena gets full to over flowing so make sure you park legally, or bylaw may give you a ticket.

Spring is happening, the lakes are slowly melting, so summer is almost here. Have a good weekend as you decide whether to wear a parka or shorts and sandals or maybe even possible all three.

Decisions, decisions.