Father's Day - a little history, if you are interested!
The history of Father's Day traces back to the early 20th century in the United States.
The early inspirations to begin a day to celebrate Fatherhood followed the establishment of Mother's Day by Anna Jarvis - didn't want to leave the guys out!
Father's Day was first observed In 1908 when Grace Golden Clayton of Fairmont, West Virginia, organized an event to honour fathers after a deadly mining accident killed many men, leaving numerous children fatherless. This event is one of the earliest instances of a Father's Day-like observance. Then along came Sonora Smart Dodd, who is credited with beginning the modern concept of Father's Day. Her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran, was a single parent who raised six children. Dodd proposed the idea to local churches, the YMCA, and other organizations and the concept of honouring father's slowly (with some early struggles and resistance) became rooted in tradition.
By 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honouring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day in the US and in 1972 President Richard Nixon signed it into law, establishing Father's Day as a permanent national holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
Cultural and Global Influence
Father's Day has since become an internationally recognized celebration, though the dates and traditions vary by country. For example:
- In Australia and New Zealand, Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September.
- In many European and Latin American countries, it aligns with St. Joseph's Day on March 19.
Modern Celebrations
Today, Father's Day is celebrated with various activities and traditions, including giving gifts, cards, and spending time with fathers and father figures. It has evolved to honour not only biological fathers but also stepfathers, grandfathers, and other significant paternal figures.
However you mark the day or celebrate, we wish you a wonderful time!
And to end, we understand that not everyone has had a good relationship with their father's or indeed other male influences in their lives, and for those of us who have lost dear fathers and father figures, it can be a painful day. We send love to you all. xx
Photo credit: Matthew Henry from Burst. Thank you so much.