Father’s Day
Sure mother’s do most of the
dirty work when it comes to parenting but there’s got to be some love given to
the father. Fortunately, for the entire
family, there is a day dedicated to celebrating the role of the father in the
family. That day is: Father’s Day!
Father’s Day is a time where
kids of all ages give praise to that man they call daddy. A national holiday dedicated to the role
that father’s play in the family unit, Father’s Day has a long and rich history
that stretches back to the early twentieth century. The idea of Father’s Day first popped in the head of Washington
native, Sonora Dodd while she was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in
1909. Although Mother’s Day was a
holiday that was established in the early part of the twentieth century and for
the worthwhile cause of honoring mother’s throughout the country, Sonora found
it strange that there wasn’t a holiday to celebrate fathers.
Sonora wanted a special day to honor her father and other fathers in the country. Considering the fundamental role that Sonora’s
dad, William Smart, played in her life, her ambitions for the establishment for
Father’s Day is understandable. William
Smart was a Civil War veteran who devoted his life to taking care of his children
once his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Taking the responsibilities of raising his
children with complete heart, the effort of William Smart was not lost on
Sonora Dodd. Once she had reached
adulthood, Sonora realize the sacrifice and selflessness that her father had
displayed in raising six children as a single parent. Designed to honor her father’s life, Sonora campaigned for the
first Father’s Day. Designating June 19
as Father’s Day due to the fact this was the birthday of William Smart, the
first Father’s Day celebration took place in Spokane, Washington in 1910. Spokane was the destination, as it was
William Smart’s birthplace.
Eventually, the popularity
of Father’s Day spread throughout the country.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge announced his support for the idea of
a national Father’s Day. However, it
was not until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential
proclamation that declared Father’s Day to fall on the third Sunday of
June. Six years later in 1972,
President Richard Nixon would establish a permanent national observance of
Father’s Day on the day designated by President Lyndon Johnson.
Father’s Day is an exciting
holiday for the entire family and in particular, the father. Although the structure of the family unit
has changed over the last couple of decades, previously it used to be the sole
domain for father’s to work as the primary income earner in the family. Their role in the family was often
underrated and under appreciated and Father’s Day is a time where this can be
rectified. Ties are a common gift that
is given on Father’s Day and this holiday is a time where kids of all ages
should help their dad’s out by performing some of his designated chores. As red roses are the official Father’s Day
flower, they make a great gif for dad.
However, the best way to celebrate Father’s Day is to simply give your
appreciation to your dad and let him know he’s loved. Happy Father’s Day everybody!
hide
Home
