What is the background of Father's Day? When did it start? Why is it celebrated?

Answer 1

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 honored on Father's Day.

Answer 2

Father's day was first celebrated in 1910 in Spokane, Washington through the efforts of Sonora Dodd and the YMCA. Celebrated on the third Sunday in June, it was signed into law in 1972.

Answer 3

In the United States, the driving force behind the establishment of the celebration of Father's Day was Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd, born in Creston, Washington. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, as a single parent raised his six children in Spokane, Washington. She was inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts to establish Mother's Day. Although she initially suggested June 5, the anniversary of her father's death, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane.

* Countries that observe Father's Day on the third Sunday of June include Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Hong Kong S.A.R., India, Ireland, Japan, Macao S.A.R., Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

Countries with other celebration dates:

* Austria: second Sunday of June
* Australia: first Sunday of September
* Belgium: St Joseph's day (March 19), and the second Sunday of June (Secular)
* Brazil: second Sunday of August
* Bulgaria: June 20
* Denmark: June 5 (also Constitution Day)
* Dominican Republic: last Sunday of July
* Estonia: second Sunday of November
* Finland: second Sunday of November
* Germany: Ascension Day
* Italy: March 19
* Lithuania: first Sunday of June
* New Zealand: first Sunday of September
* Nicaragua: June 23
* Norway: second Sunday of November
* Poland: June 23
* Portugal: March 19
* Russia: February 23 (Defender of the Fatherland Day, a military holiday, seen by many as a men's day)
* South Korea: May 8 (Parents' Day)
* Spain: March 19
* Sweden: second Sunday of November
* Thailand: December 5 (birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej)
* Taiwan: August 8

Answer 4

President Nixon signed it officially into law as a National Holiday. He felt that Fathers should have their day of honor just like Mothers did.

Answer 5

Historians have traced the origin of Father's Day to a woman named Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, who grew up on a rural farm in the eastern part of Washington State. Sonora first envisioned the idea of observing a day to honor fathers while listening to a sermon about Mother's Day in 1909. Since there was a day set aside in honor of mothers, Sonora felt that there should be a special day to honor fathers as well.

Sonora's mother died when she was just a child so her father, William Smart, raised Sonora and her five siblings by himself. As she grew older and married, Sonora came to realize and appreciate all the sacrifices that her father had made raising six children as a single parent. In order to honor the selflessness of her father, and others like him, Sonora organized a Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. She chose the month of June because it was the same month her father was born.

Over the years, many people continued to spread the idea for a special day to honor fathers. One important person who set aside a day just for fathers was Harry C. Meek, president of the Lions Club in Chicago. Mr. Meek was a well-known advocate of Father's Day, and frequently gave speeches around the United States encouraging people to adopt the idea. Due to his continual devotion to establish a national Father's Day, the Lions Clubs of America presented Mr. Meek with a gold watch in 1920. On the watch was the inscription "Originator of Father's Day."

In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge showed support for a national Father's Day, however, he did not make it official. Although the idea of a national Father's Day was popular, the idea was not endorsed until 40 years later. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation implementing an official Father's Day. It declared the 3rd Sunday in June as a special day to honor fathers everywhere.

Today, Father's Day is not only a day to honor fathers, but one to show respect for all father figures. Families honor grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles and other adult male figures that are special to them. In the United States, people remember their fathers by calling them, sending cards, or buying gifts ? especially if they are not able to spend time with them on Father's Day. Americans also honor their fathers by helping around the house, making them special meals, organizing outings, or participating in other activities that their fathers enjoy. Since Father's Day is in June, outdoor activities such as camping and picnics are common. Young children often make cards for their fathers, help with chores, or simply spend the day with their fathers. To show their appreciation, older children may simply give their fathers the gift of time.

Answer 6

JUNE 18th IS THE DAY IN THE U.S.A. TO CALL CHRIST A LIAR MATTHEW 23:9 DO NOT CALL THE FLESH FATHER ONLY 1 FATHER THE EARTH HAS AND THE ALMIGHTY IS HIS NAME.

Answer 7

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