Why Did We Start To Celebrate Father's Day?

Not many countries of the world celebrate fathers with their own official day. However, that is what is done in the United States every third Sunday in June. Father's Day is a special day for dads when they are pampered by their children, given gifts, and may even be surprised with breakfast in bed!

There are many different conflicting stories as to the beginnings of Father's Day. Some say it started in West Virginia, while others point to an origin in the Chicago Lion's Club. However, most believe that the work Sonora Dodd did in promoting the idea of honoring fathers resulted in the popularity of Father's Day celebrations.

Sonora Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, first fostered the idea of a "father's day” while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. She felt that her father, William Smart, was outstanding and deserved to be honored. He had fought in the Civil War and had raised six children after his wife had died. With much difficulty, he raised his children single handedly and bestowed love and affection to make them blossom in life. After Sonora became an adult, she realized the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children.

In the eyes of his daughter, Mr. Smart was a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Mrs. Dodd spoke to her minister and other ministers around Spokane to see if they would have a church service that was solely dedicated to fathers. She wished this service to be held on June 5th, her father’s birthday. However, since a June 5th date was not long enough for her minister to prepare such a service, the first Father's Day celebration was actually scheduled on the 19th of June 1910.

After that, the whole state of Washington began celebrating "Father’s Day" on the third Sunday of June. Children prepared special meals and desserts as a treat for dad. And if they happened to live apart, children would make an effort to visit.

Eventually, other states and organizations wanted an annual Father's Day for the whole country. They began lobbying Congress to declare such a holiday. The idea of a "Father's Day" was approved by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but it was not official until President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event in 1924. It was followed by a presidential proclamation in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson, who signed a declaration making the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Richard Nixon signed the law, which finally made it permanent in 1972.

Now, we all celebrate Father's Day every third Sunday in June!

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