Father’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring fathers and celebrating their influence in our lives. The history of Father’s Day dates back to the early 20th century in the United States. The idea for a day to honor fathers is often credited to Sonora Smart Dodd, who was inspired by the newly established Mother’s Day to create a similar holiday for fathers.
Sonora, the daughter of a Civil War veteran and single father, William Jackson Smart, wanted to recognize the efforts and sacrifices her father made in raising her and her siblings. In 1909, she proposed the idea to the Spokane Ministerial Alliance, and they supported her initiative. The first official Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, with the support of local religious organizations.
The holiday slowly gained popularity across the United States. President Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national celebration in 1924, but it wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed it into law, making Father’s Day a permanent national holiday.
