Mother's Day came first, but Father's Day wasn't too far behind. It's amazing what people accomplish when they put their minds to good use and encourage others to join their cause. It just wouldn't be the same without many of our holidays and Father's Day is one of them.
When you are finished reading about the history of Father's Day, learn about great gift, craft, and recipe ideas for Dad's big day over at our main Father's Day holiday page.
Who came up with the idea of Father's Day?
Her name was Sonora Louise Smart Dodd and she lived in Spokane, Washington. Sonora was the oldest of six children raised by their father, William Jackson Smart, when their mother died during childbirth. Sonora honored and revered her father, and while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909, she determined there should also be a day to honor fathers.
Sonora gained local support and made her dream a reality one year later within her own city of Spokane, Washington. Sonora married John Bruce Dodd. She died March 22, 1978, several years after Father's Day became a permanent national observance.
Why June?
In 1910 Sonora chose June 19th as the day to celebrate Father's Day because that was her father's birthday. With support from the Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA, the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane on June 19, 1910.
When did the United States begin celebrating Father's Day?
1910 Spokane, Washington celebrates Father's Day.
1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.
1926 The formation of National Father's Day Committee in New York City.
1956 Father's Day was recognized by Joint Resolution of Congress.
1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring that the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.
1972 President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday in June.
Do other countries celebrate Father's Day?
Father's Day is celebrated in every part of the world. In the United States, Canada and most countries in Asia, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
How can I make this Father's Day special for my Father?
There are all kinds of things you can do to make Father's Day special for your dad. Here are a few suggestions:
Make dad breakfast in bed.
Send him flowers, the red rose is the official Father's Day flower.
Do secret acts of kindness, this might include doing one of dad's chores for him, like taking out the garbage :)
Be obedient.
Do your chores, without being asked.
Get along with your brothers and sisters.
Make or take him out to dinner.
Send him an on-line greeting card.
Use our printables to make a heartfelt Father's Day card.
Check out some great ideas to make dad a homemade gift.
Spice up the Father's Day festivities with an activity or two.
1. Interview your father and/or grandfather. Ask questions about his birth, childhood, and what he did when he was a teenager. Find out favorite subjects in school, how he met your mother or grandmother. Inquire about his favorite job. End the interview by expressing your love for him.
2. Get together with a few other families and play the Father/Child Game. Divide into four father/child teams. Ask the fathers to leave the room while the children sit in chairs. Ask the same four or five questions to each child about their fathers. Bring in the fathers and ask them the same questions. Will the father and child have the same answers? Switch places and see how well the father's know the children. Award a red rose to the winning father/child team.
Question Ideas: Favorite color, movie, candy bar, color of toothbrush, memorable moment with you, best friend, hobby, talent, food, animal, cartoon, pizza topping, ice cream topping, restaurant. Most embarrassing moment. Favorite holiday.
3. Have a Father's Day BBQ or picnic. Make a crown for dad and let him know he's "King" for the day. This can be a family activity or extend an invitation to a few other families also. Make sure all the dad's are given "Royal Treatment".
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