Chicago celebrates 100 years of Mother's Day

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Sunday is the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day and in Chicago the celebration involved women who have been mothers for decades and those who are just about to start that life-long journey.

For Alison D'Orazio, this is what Mother's Day is all about. She skipped tradition this year, opting spending time with her husband and their two children, Emma and Brody at the playground.

"It's just the everyday being with the people that you love, being with your kids appreciating the time you have with them," she said.

Mother's Day is a special time reserved to honor our maternal heroes. It's a day to give thanks and maybe even a card and some flowers to the women who have raised and nurtured us.

Once again, the Driehaus Museum hosted its annual Mother's Day Afternoon Tea where the ballroom was transformed into a secret garden.

Although in its fourth year, it was the first time Sharon Wenrich marked the day with her daughter and granddaughter while honoring the memory of her own mother who passed away six months ago.

"It's really nice to be here because I'm from Kansas City and so I don't get to see my daughter as often as I would like to and being here was just a treat," she said.

As many of us enjoy this Mother's Day, we also unknowingly helped commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first official Mothers' Day celebration, which began as a day of mourning, not celebration.

It began in the 1850s as a way for Civil War mothers to mourn their fallen sons. After the war, it was used as a political initiative for women to organize peace rallies. And eventually, on May 8, 1914, the United States Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. The next day, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the first national Mother's Day.

Since then, it's become a day where moms are pampered with brunches and breakfasts in bed.

But this Mother's Day isn't just about mothers it's also about mothers to be.

Sunday afternoon at Holy Name Cathedral, Cardinal Francis George celebrated Mother's Day with a special mass for expectant mothers. Each expectant mother received a silk rose and the medal of St. Gerard, the patron saint of expectant mothers.

"It is our first child and he told me to have a lovely summer, so it was very nice," said expectant mother Peggy Hooker.

So while there are many different reasons to celebrate the day, for most it's just about letting mom know she's awesome.

"Moms are the best," said Sal Tabuena. "They've always been the best so we should do this alot more than just today."