History of Father's Day

          Sonora's father, William Smart, was a Civil War veteran who became widowed when his wife died during childbirth with their sixth child.  He raised his six children alone on a rural farm in the eastern part of Washington. 

          While listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909, Sonora realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his family as a single parent and she wanted a special day in which to honor her father.  As her father was born in June, Sonora wanted the holiday to be held on June 5, Mr. Smart's birthday.  But it was postponed until June 19 and was to be the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington.

          At about the same time in other towns and cities across America, other people were beginning to celebrate a Father's Day.  Some accounts in history credit Mrs. Charles Clayton of West Virginia as the founder of Father's Day, although most histories give credit to Mrs. Dodd.

          In earlier times, wearing flowers was a traditional way of celebrating Father's Day.  Sonora Dodd favored the red rose to honor a father still living, while a white flower honored a deceased father.  J. H. Berringer, who also held Father's Day celebrations in Washington State as early as 1912, chose a white lilac as the Father's Day flower.

         Harry C. Meek, president of the Lions Club in Chicago, was also a figure in establishing Father's Day.  He gave several speeches across America expressing the need for a day to honor our fathers.  In 1920 the Lions Club of America presented him with a gold watch, with the inscription "Originator of Father's Day."

          In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day but it wasn't until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation for Father's Day to be held the 3rd Sunday of each June.  In 1972 President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day on the 3rd Sunday of June. 

          In 2001 we celebrate and honor our fathers on Sunday, June 17.

Traditions

-- If your father is living, wear a red rose
-- If your father has passed away, wear a white rose
-- A necktie is a creative idea for a gift ... LOL
-- Have a traditional cookout or a picnic
-- Take Dad out to dinner
-- Give Dad a great big hug
-- Tell your father just how much you love him
-- Go to church with your dad on Father's Day