History of Father’s Day in the USA
Historically, Father’s Day traces back to the first known celebration in the United States. It took place in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910. Sonora Smart Dodd, inspired by the popularity of Mother’s Day, initiated this celebration to honor her father; William Jackson Smart. As a Civil War veteran and a single parent, Smart raised six children, while exemplifying the importance of fathers in society.
Initially, Dodd proposed June 5th, her father’s birthday, as the date for Father’s Day. However, due to time constraints, the celebration was postponed to the third Sunday in June. The idea garnered support, and on June 19, 1910, the first Father’s Day was celebrated with church services and a gathering to honor fathers in Spokane.
Although it took several decades for Father’s Day to become an officially recognized national holiday in the United States, its popularity steadily grew. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a law that made Father’s Day a permanent national holiday in the United States.
So, on Father’s Day we recognize, celebrate and express gratitude and appreciation for family leaders, fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and other family figures who play significant roles in our lives and communitites It is a time to honor their immeasurable contributions, boundless love, as well as unwavering support.
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