When the US Civil War ended in 1865, more than half a million soldiers lay dead,
the economy was shattered, and people remained deeply divided politically. The
observance of Mother’s Day in the United States began with two women’s efforts
for peace and reconciliation during this time of anguish. In 1870, Julia Ward Howe
called for an International Mother’s Day on which women would unite in opposing
war in all its forms. A few years later, Anna Reeves Jarvis began her annual 
Mother’s Friendship Day in an effort to reunite families and neighbors who 
had been alienated by the war.   
 

Julia Ward Howe

 
Anna Reeves Jarvis

Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for “fifth of May” and is a Mexican civic holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of
Puebla on May 5, 1862. It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and the
United States.

The Easter Egg Roll is an annual event, and is held on the White House Lawn each Easter Monday for children and their parents. It is a race where the children push
an egg through the grass with a long-handled spoon. The event includes White
House personalities in Easter Bunny costumes, speeches and book reading by
cabinet secretaries along with exhibits of decorated eggs.

Dolly Madison, the wife of President James Madison is credited with beginning the
Egg Roll in 1814. The original site was on the grounds of the United States Capital,
but in 1877 a new lawn was planted and the gardeners cancelled the event. Congress then passed a law making it illegal to use the grounds as a children’s playground. At
the request of a number of children, including his own, the then President Rutherford
B. Hayes and his wife Lucy brought the event to the White House lawns. The event
was abandoned during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, and revived by Mamie Eisenhower during her husband’s term in office.

The Easter Monday  Egg Roll in 1898

Egg Roll in 1905

The Egg Roll in 1925