Father's Day on the Net - The History of Father's Day

The History 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 honored on Father's Day.

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Comments

wai phyo

08:32 08/16/2009

Good plan.Thank par U show fathers day

Allan from Brazil

10:08 08/05/2009

eh uma bosta!!!!!!

cleo from Washington, US

14:24 06/22/2009

Father's Day is a great way to show that we care about dad.

Sue from Pennsylvania, US

00:19 06/22/2009

I think fathers day is a wonderful way to show them we care about them. My parents were divorced when i was 12 years olf. My Dad took care of the fine of us after the divorce. He is tops in my mind. Fathers day should be every day so that we can show them its not just the one day that we care about them and appreciate what they do for us. Some Dad's/Fathers's take on more then one job to care for us and make sure we have what we need and want. Hats off to all of the fathers who do so much for their kids and ask fo very little in return but your love for them.

giovani from Minnesota, US

23:23 06/21/2009

My Fatner Died when I whas 8 years old.My Father is the BEST.

robert harshman from Arizona, US

18:33 06/21/2009

my father did 50 percent better than his father. i am trying to do 50 percent better than my father for my kids. i love my dad for everything he did for me. its up to me to do right by my kids not to blame others for my failures or success

Pat Armhold

18:05 06/21/2009

Father's Day

His thimble overfloweth

16:43 06/21/2009

My dad was an alcoholic who shot himself when I was 13. Real great guy. Left me by my self for days at a time when he'd drink, and when he died he left me alone to deal with everything. Thanks a ton pops.

coconutjoy from Puerto Rico

16:02 06/21/2009

"father's day" is EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR. All these holidays are COMERCIALIZED

SIMON M. ALMONTE from Florida, US

14:05 06/21/2009

My father died when i was 11 years old and one of my older brother act as a father and i called him dad. he died when i was 39 years old.

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