FATHER'S DAY GIFTS

A Brief History of Father's Day 

Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and fatherhood, as well as paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. While the modern observance of Father's Day is marked by gift-giving, its origins are rooted in history.

The idea of Father's Day can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. The credit for initiating the concept of Father's Day is often given to Sonora Smart Dodd, who was inspired by the American Mother's Day celebrations. Sonora, the daughter of a Civil War veteran and single father named William Jackson Smart, wanted to create a day to honor her father's selfless dedication in raising her and her siblings after their mother's passing.

Sonora Smart Dodd, born in Arkansas in 1882, proposed the idea of Father's Day in 1909 while listening to a Mother's Day sermon at her church in Spokane, Washington. She felt that fathers deserved recognition for their contribution to the family and society as a whole. Sonora's efforts gained momentum, and the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane on June 19, 1910, which was her father's birthday.

Although initially met with skepticism and resistance, Father's Day gradually gained popularity across the United States. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge expressed his support for the idea of a national Father's Day, but it wasn't until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson officially proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed it into law as a permanent national holiday.

Today, Father's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, albeit on different dates. It serves as a day to honor fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures, expressing gratitude and appreciation for their love, guidance, and sacrifices. It's a time for families to come together and create cherished memories, acknowledging the important role fathers play in shaping the lives of their children and society as a whole.