LOS ANGELES (AP) — You could call her the mother of Father’s Day. Sonora Smart Dodd, born in Sebastian County, Arkansas, in 1882, was the daughter of a Civil War veteran-turned-farmer and one of six children.

When Sonora was 16, her mother died during childbirth, leaving her father to raise her and her siblings alone. To show her appreciation for all that her father had done for her and her siblings, Sonora wanted to create a holiday that would honor fathers and the role they play in their children’s lives.

In 1909, Sonora approached the Spokane Ministerial Association and suggested the idea of having a Father’s Day celebration. She proposed June 5, her father’s birthday, as the date for the celebration. However, the association did not have enough time to prepare for the event, and it was postponed until June 19, 1910.

On that day, the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington. The celebration was a huge success. Fathers were given gifts, and the children participated in various activities, such as a baseball game and a race. After this initial celebration, Father’s Day became an annual tradition. However, it took several decades before the holiday was recognized nationally.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. The holiday was made a permanent national observance in 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed it into law.

Today, Father’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day to honor and show appreciation for all the hard work and sacrifices that fathers make for their families. Fathers play an essential role in the upbringing of their children and are deserving of recognition and celebration.

So, this Father’s Day, take the time to honor your father or the father figure in your life. Show him how much he means to you and how much you appreciate all that he does. Whether it’s a card, a phone call, or a gift, let him know that he is loved and valued. After all, he deserves it.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to Contact Us

Back to Online Trends