For centuries, Father's Day has been celebrated all over the world.About 4000 years ago, in Babylonia, a state in Mesopotamia (Iraq today), a boy named Elmusu wished his father good health and a long life by carving a message on a card made out of clay.
In Catholic Countries, Father’s Day is marked on St. Joseph's Day (March 19).
However, Father’s Day, as we know it today, is attributed to Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, USA.
One Sunday in 1909, while listening to a Mother's Day sermon at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church in Fairmont, West Virginia, Mrs. Sonora thought of a holiday to honor all fathers.
Mrs. Sonora was raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart, after her mother died. Mrs. Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. Her father made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man.
Mrs. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.
It took many years to make the Father's Day holiday official. In spite of support from the YWCA, the YMCA and churches, it ran the risk of being forgotten.
While the idea of having Mother's Day was met with enthusiasm, the thought of having Father's Day was met with laughter.
The celebration of Father’s Day slowly gathered interest, and for the wrong reasons - it was the target of lampoon, parody and ridicule. Many people saw it as just the first step in filling the calendar with mindless promotions in the same way some folks view "Grandparents' Day", "Professional Secretaries' Day" or even "National Clean Your Desk Day" today.
However, in 1913, a bill was introduced to institutionalize Father's Day. In 1924, American President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea and a national committee was formed in 1926 in New York City to legitimize the holiday.
Then in 1956, through by a Joint Resolution of Congress, Father's Day was recognized. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June.
However, Father’s Day, as we know it today, is attributed to Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, USA.
One Sunday in 1909, while listening to a Mother's Day sermon at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church in Fairmont, West Virginia, Mrs. Sonora thought of a holiday to honor all fathers.
Mrs. Sonora was raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart, after her mother died. Mrs. Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. Her father made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man.
Mrs. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.
It took many years to make the Father's Day holiday official. In spite of support from the YWCA, the YMCA and churches, it ran the risk of being forgotten.
While the idea of having Mother's Day was met with enthusiasm, the thought of having Father's Day was met with laughter.
The celebration of Father’s Day slowly gathered interest, and for the wrong reasons - it was the target of lampoon, parody and ridicule. Many people saw it as just the first step in filling the calendar with mindless promotions in the same way some folks view "Grandparents' Day", "Professional Secretaries' Day" or even "National Clean Your Desk Day" today.
However, in 1913, a bill was introduced to institutionalize Father's Day. In 1924, American President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea and a national committee was formed in 1926 in New York City to legitimize the holiday.
Then in 1956, through by a Joint Resolution of Congress, Father's Day was recognized. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June.
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