The History of Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day to our SIH Second Act fathers and grandfathers! Thanks for being the role model you are.
Father's Day, celebrated to honor fathers and father figures, has a rich history that dates back over a century. The idea for Father's Day originated in the United States. The first known Father's Day service was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia, after a deadly mining accident. Grace Golden Clayton proposed the service to honor the fathers who had died in the disaster.
However, the holiday gained more traction thanks to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Inspired by Mother's Day, Dodd wanted to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent. The first official Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.
Despite initial resistance and perceptions of it being overly commercial, Father's Day gradually became popular. It wasn't until 1972 that President Richard Nixon signed it into law, making it a national holiday in the United States.
Today, Father's Day is celebrated worldwide, though the dates and traditions vary. In the United States and many other countries, it is observed on the third Sunday in June. The day is marked by giving gifts, spending time with family, and honoring the contributions of fathers.
Father's Day, celebrated to honor fathers and father figures, has a rich history that dates back over a century. The idea for Father's Day originated in the United States. The first known Father's Day service was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia, after a deadly mining accident. Grace Golden Clayton proposed the service to honor the fathers who had died in the disaster.
However, the holiday gained more traction thanks to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Inspired by Mother's Day, Dodd wanted to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent. The first official Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.
Despite initial resistance and perceptions of it being overly commercial, Father's Day gradually became popular. It wasn't until 1972 that President Richard Nixon signed it into law, making it a national holiday in the United States.
Today, Father's Day is celebrated worldwide, though the dates and traditions vary. In the United States and many other countries, it is observed on the third Sunday in June. The day is marked by giving gifts, spending time with family, and honoring the contributions of fathers.