Mother Whistler Day

History of Mother Whistler Day

Gray and Black Layout No.1, an 1871 portrait of James Abbott McNeil Whistler of his mother, Anna McNeil Whistler, is informally known as Whistler's Mother, and is one of the most famous paintings by a public American citizens not kept in the United States, is located at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. It is not clear why Mother Whistler's Day occurs on May 18, although the May 18, 1977 edition of The Journal Herald stated that "today is Mother Whistler's birthday," presumably suggesting that the picture was taken or made public on that date. The source added that "a group from the Huntingdon Valley, Pa." are the day's sponsors and they say of the day, "it's time to whistle while you work, play or whatever". Moreover, it is implied that the celebration of Mother Whistler Day has not related to Whistler's mother.

Recent online sources support the view that the focus of Mother's Day whistles is on whistlers and whistlers, saying it is to honor all who can whistle. Whistling is created by making a small opening with your lips and then blowing or sucking air through. Airflow and sound can be altered by bending the tongue and changing the shape of the lips or fingers. Whistling is used in music, by spectators at sporting events to express approval and disapproval, at competitions, and to communicate between humans and animals.

How to celebrate Mother Whistler Day

• Let's whistle. You can "whistle while working, playing, or whatever."
• Toot.
• Take part in a whistling contest.
• Listen to some songs with whistling.
• Join and enjoy Whistler's Mother at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
• Stop by the statue of Whistler's Mother in Ashland, Pennsylvania.
• Watch Bean, a movie where Mr Bean has all sorts of troubles with Whistler's Mother.