‘Father’s Day’ is celebrated worldwide every year on the third Sunday of June. This day is dedicated to the person who shoulders every family responsibility without complaint. But do you know how the tradition of celebrating Father’s Day—much like Mother’s Day—began? Who was the daughter that laid the foundation for this special day in honor of her father? Let us explore the complete history and significance of Father’s Day.
When and by whom was Father’s Day started?
The official celebration of Father’s Day began on June 19, 1910, in the city of Spokane, Washington. The credit for initiating this day goes to an American woman named Sonora Smart Dodd.
The touching story behind it
Sonora was just 16 years old when her mother passed away. Her father, William Jackson Smart—a Civil War veteran—single-handedly raised Sonora and her five younger brothers.
In 1909, while listening to a sermon on ‘Mother’s Day’ at church, the thought struck Sonora that a father, too, deserved the same respect and love as a mother. She realized that her father had never let them feel the absence of a mother and had raised the children entirely on his own. To express gratitude for her father’s selfless love and sacrifice, Sonora launched a campaign to celebrate ‘Father’s Day’.
Read More: Corruption Scandal in Bihar? CDPO Accused of Taking ₹5,000 Bribe Per Anganwadi Center
The Journey to Official Recognition
Sonora wanted to celebrate her father’s birthday (June 5) as Father’s Day, but due to a lack of time, preparations could not be completed; consequently, it was celebrated for the first time on June 19, 1910. Gradually, the observance gained popularity across other states in the US.
- 1916: US President Woodrow Wilson endorsed the idea.
- 1924: President Calvin Coolidge supported it as a national event.
- 1966: President Lyndon B. Johnson issued an official proclamation designating the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
- 1972: President Richard Nixon signed legislation establishing it as an official national holiday in the US.
Why is Father’s Day Celebrated?
Fathers often do not express their emotions openly and work tirelessly, day and night, for their family’s happiness. The main objectives of celebrating Father’s Day are:
Read More: Aurangabad Road Accident: High School Teacher Killed on NH-19 After Speeding Bike Hits Bullet
- Expressing Gratitude: This day offers children an opportunity to show respect and appreciation for their fathers, grandfathers, or any father figure.
- Acknowledging Sacrifices: In society, a father’s sacrifices and struggles often do not receive the same level of recognition as a mother’s. This day serves as a way to appreciate those often-unseen contributions.
- Strengthening Bonds: On this day, people give gifts to their fathers, spend time with them, and make them feel how special they are in their lives.
“A father is a shield who absorbs every trouble heading towards his children, never letting even a frown appear on his face.”
This Father’s Day, spend some special moments with your father and don’t forget to say ‘Thank You’!