Father’s day
No matter how tall you get, a father is someone you look up to.
When did Father’s Day get started?
Although Father’s Day was first observed in 1910, it took more than 60 years for the holiday to be formally recognised.
The celebration was modelled after Mother’s Day, which was recognised as a commercial holiday in 1908.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared May 2nd to be Mother’s Day in honour of “that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America.”
The nation took longer than usual to recognise fathers on a specific day.
Wilson did recognise Father’s Day in 1916, and President Calvin Coolidge urged states to celebrate the occasion in 1924.
President Lyndon B. Johnson finally issued the first presidential proclamation honouring fathers in 1966, establishing Father’s Day as the third Sunday in June.
Father’s Day was invented by who?
According to History.com, a woman from Spokane, Washington, was inspired to establish a holiday honouring fathers after hearing a sermon on mothers.
Father’s Day is credited to Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in 1882, as its creator.
Dodd, who died in 1978, was raised by a twice married, twice widowed Civil War veteran with 14 children.
She wanted to celebrate fathers’ “loving service” as a result.
On June 5, her father’s birthday, she petitioned the Spokane Ministerial Alliance to honour “the courage and devotion of all fathers” like William Dodd.
The local clergy wanted to hold a special Father’s Day ceremony but were unable to do so in time. As a result, they chose the third Sunday in June.
References :
“Is Father’s Day an Official Holiday? When Did It Start? What to Know About the Day’s Origin.” USA TODAY, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/16/when-is-fathers-day-how-did-it-start-everything-to-know/70305884007.
“Happy Father’s Day 2023: Top 50 Wishes, Messages and Quotes to Make Your Dad Feel Extra Special – Times of India.” The Times of India, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/moments/happy-fathers-day-2023-top-50-wishes-messages-and-quotes-to-make-your-dad-feel-extra-special/articleshow/100993688.cms.
