Sonora Louise Smart Dodd wanted to honor her father, a Civil War veteran, William Jackson Smart, who raised her and her five sisters alone as a single widowed parent. His wife had died in the childbirth of their sixth daughter. The tradition started in Spokane, Washington, where she lived, on June 19, 1910.
The celebration took off locally and started the tradition of giving Dads all over the world a card, a gift, and a loving, relaxing day. This met with the approval of United States President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 but it was not until 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge made it a yearly national event that it took off worldwide. President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation in 1966 designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day in America. The law was finally signed in 1972 by President Richard Nixon, making it a permanent celebration.
Everyone benefits from this holiday. It is the fifth most popular card sending holiday. Gifts are purchased for the men in our lives and the day is now enjoyed by all.
Remember your Dad, Grandpa, Sons, and Brothers on June 17th. Show them your love and it will be returned to you. ~