Fathers Day History

Honoring fathers can be traced back to the ruins of Babylon. However, the modern Fathers Day celebration began in 1909.  After hearing a Mothers Day sermon, Sonora Dodd decided fathers should be honored as well.  Sonora wanted to honor her father for his courage and strength.  William Smart (Sonora’s father) raised six children after their mother died during childbirth.  Sonora’s idea of honoring one’s father became a reality on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington.  The idea of honoring one’s father grew over the years and by 1966, President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed that Father's Day should be celebrated nationally on the third Sunday of June.  President Richard Nixon made Fathers Day a permanent holiday in 1972.

Fathers Day Gift Ideas

A symbol of the hard-working family provider, the tie has been the traditional Fathers Day gift.  Fathers are so much more than family providers.  They are our friends and mentors.  They come in all shapes and sizes with different personalities and interests. Therefore, our Fathers Day gift ideas should reflect the man, and not the tradition.  Fathers with a sense of humor will love a funny coffee mug filled with candy or a balloon bouquet.  The botanical father will love a dish garden with interesting houseplants.  A red, white and blue flower arrangement will make the patriotic father beam with pride.  In fact, flower arrangements make great Fathers Day gifts.  Any flower arrangement can be designed with the hobbies and interests or your father in mind.

It doesn’t matter who my father was: it matters who I remember he was – Anne Sexton

Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be called Dad – unknown

So this Fathers Day, give your dad something worthy of the respect and admiration he deserves. 

When is Fathers Day celebrated this year? Sunday,  June 20, 2010