The Story of Father's Day

The Story of Father's Day

Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not
established as a holiday in order to help greeting card
manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a "father's day" was
first proposed there were no Father's Day cards!

Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a
"father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor
her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran,
was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in
childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the
newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in
eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an
adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father
had shown in raising his children as a single parent.

The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in
Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns
and cities across American other people were beginning to
celebrate a "father's day." In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge
supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966
President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation
declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but
all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles,
grandfathers, and adult male friends are all be honored on
Father's Day.