What Mother's Day Looked Like the Year You Were Born
From 1955 to now, Mom has celebrated her special day with the year's best movies, music, and more.
Mother's Day may now be marked by a delicious Sunday brunch and a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Mom, but did you know that there's actually a rich, complex history behind the holiday? The year 1908 marked the very first Mother's Day celebration to ever take place in the United States, with social activist Anna Reeves Jarvis being inspired by her own late mother to create a holiday dedicated to honoring the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson had declared the second Sunday in May an official American holiday — and the rest, of course, is history. Throughout the years, political moments, cultural shifts, and changing styles have redefined how moms across the nation have celebrated the special day, but the heart of the holiday has always remained the same — and that is, of course, to celebrate the everyday heroes that are our moms!
1955: Mom's kitchen received an upgrade.
The '50s were a time of innovation, especially in the kitchen. So what was probably at the top of most housewives' Mother's Day wish lists? The GE wall refrigerator-freezer, which made its debut in 1955. Known for its sleek design and easy-to-reach convenience, the product claimed to "hang on a wall like a picture."
RELATED: 46 Unique Gifts for Mom That Are Just as Thoughtful as She Is
1956: Queen Elizabeth II was (and still is!) the ultimate mom.
Queen Elizabeth II is a model parent to Brits and Americans alike. In 1956, she spent Mother's Day (well, America's version) with her young children, Princess Anne and Prince Charles, cheering on her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, as he played polo in Windsor Great Park.
RELATED: Inside Queen Elizabeth's Complicated Relationships With Her Children
1957: Moms were "All Shook Up."
If Mom asked you to play her favorite song on Mother's Day in 1957, you'd probably be queueing up Elvis' "All Shook Up" on the record player. The King's hit topped the charts, just in time for Mom's big day.
1958: Moms lived by the "Book of Cookies."
More than 150 delicious cookie recipes filled the pages of Good Housekeeping's 1958 release, "Book of Cookies." This must-have cookbook was a popular Mother's Day gift for moms who fancied treating their family to a homemade batch of cookies.
1959: Famous moms stole the show.
At the end of the 1950s, everyone was abuzz about Hollywood's A-list moms, including Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Lucille Ball, and Elizabeth Taylor. On Mother's Day in 1959, Mom might have relaxed by watching these stars on television or catching up on their lives in the latest issue of Screenland magazine.
1960: Moms cozied up with Dick Van Dyke.
After guffawing over the antics on Candid Camera, Mom (and Dad!) likely tuned into an episode of the popular CBS game show, What's My Line? On Mother's Day in 1960, Arlene Francis, Dick Van Dyke, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Bennett Cerf were on the panel.
1961: The Freedom Rides in Alabama
In 1961, "Freedom Riders" made the trek from Atlanta to Birmingham, aiming to desegregate the transportation system. When Americans tuned into the news that night, they saw a bus in flames and heard the heartbreaking cries of the civil rights activists after they were attacked by a mob.
1962: Mom fell in love with even more cookbooks.
Yet another year with major cookbook releases. Betty Crocker's New and Easy Cook Book was a favorite among moms everywhere — and many followed its recipes for their Mother's Day meal.
RELATED: 45 Easy Mother's Day Dinner Ideas to Maker Her Feel So Special
1963: Bob Dylan skipped his late-night appearance.
If Mom tuned into The Ed Sullivan Show on Mother's Day 1963, she may have had a few laughs, but she most certainly did not watch a performance from Bob Dylan. Slated to be a guest on the show that night, the singer instead walked off the set during dress rehearsal earlier that day. Why? The network rejected the song he planned on playing, “Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues," so Dylan decided it wasn't worth his time to appear on the show.
1964: Jackie Kennedy was on every Mom's mind.
Following the assassination of her husband on November 22, 1963, Jackie Kennedy was on everyone's minds. In May 1964, the former First Lady made her first media appearance — making her the hot topic of conversation on Mother's Day that year.
RELATED: 120 Women Who Changed Our World
1965: Mom worked on her "primped bob."
The primped bob, made famous by Jackie Kennedy, was the style of choice for most American moms in 1965. Coincidentally, on Mother's Day that same year, the International Festival of Hairdressing took place.
1966: Mom donned a mini skirt.
And the Twiggy takeover begins. On Mother's Day 1966, many modern moms opted for mini skirts when heading to church instead of conservative dresses, all thanks to British fashion icon Mary Quant.
1967: Mom had her eyes on Mickey Mantle.
Perhaps as a "gift" to all the baseball-loving mothers out there, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees hit his 500th home run on Mother's Day 1967.
1968: Mom fell in love with Elton John.
Did you know that Elton John is a stage name? On Mother's Day in 1968, Reginald Kenneth Dwight adopted the name "Elton John" — and the rest is history.
RELATED: A Look at Sir Elton John and His Husband David Furnish's Incredible Love Story
1969: Mom tuned into the 'Bonanza' finale.
In 1969, Sunday nights (Mother's Day included) revolved around family dinner and hit television shows for most families. Bonanza, a western drama, was a family-favorite — and Mom was probably smitten with the Cartwright men. The season 10 finale, "A Ride in the Sun," aired on Mother's Day that year.
1970: Mom cheered on Bobby Orr.
The Stanley Cup Finals took place on Mother's Day in 1970 — and all eyes were on 22-year-old Bobby Orr. He brought the Boston Bruins to victory with his famous "flying goal."
1971: Mom celebrated television's biggest night.
The 23rd annual Emmy Awards took place on Mother's Day in 1971. Some of Mom's TV favorites, including All In the Family, Today, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, were honored that night.
1972: Mom coveted colored appliances.
Autumn tones — including avocado green, harvest gold, and orange — turned Mom's kitchen into a colorful riot. If she wasn't serving her Mother's Day feast in avocado green cookware then she was surely asking for it as a gift from loved ones.
RELATED: 15 Kitchen Trends Designers Never Want to See Again
1973: Stevie Wonder gave Mom a theme song.
Soul singer Stevie Wonder made Mom's heart flutter with his tune "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." The song rightfully hit #1 just in time for Mother's Day — and Mom and Dad were probably dancing to it the kitchen to celebrate.
RELATED: 25 Best Mother's Day Songs to Dedicate to Your Mama
1974: Mom watched the Boston Celtics make history.
Another year, another major sporting event. In 1974, Mom might have capped off her Mother's Day celebration by tuning into the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics took home the trophy — their 12th NBA title.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
100 Sweet and Funny Mother's Day Card Messages
Heartfelt Mother's Day Quotes
Comforting Loss of Mother Quotes
110 Best Mother's Day Instagram Captions
