Who Started Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a celebration dedicated to honoring fathers and father figures. The exact origins of Father’s Day are somewhat disputed, as there are various theories about how it began. However, the modern observance of Father’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States.

One widely accepted theory suggests that the idea for Father’s Day originated in Spokane, Washington. In 1909, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd proposed the concept of a day to honor fathers, inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon she had attended. Dodd’s own father, a Civil War veteran, had raised her and her siblings as a single parent after their mother passed away. She believed that fathers deserved recognition for their role in parenting, just as mothers did.

Dodd campaigned for the establishment of a designated day to celebrate fathers, and the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane. However, it took several decades for Father’s Day to gain widespread recognition and become a nationally recognized holiday.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday in the United States. Since then, it has been celebrated on the third Sunday in June each year. Father’s Day has also been adopted by many other countries around the world, although the dates and traditions associated with the celebration may vary.

Overall, the origins of Father’s Day can be attributed to the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd and the desire to honor and appreciate fathers for their contributions to their families and society.