CELEBRATING FATHER'S DAY

Contributed by Stacie Thrush

Fifty eight years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day an official recognized holiday, Father’s Day became a nationwide holiday. In 1972 Richard Nixon signed a proclamation to make Father’s Day a federal holiday and is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

According to History.com, in 1908, a West Virginia church held the first event to honor fathers. It was a commemoration in memory of 362 men who had died in mine. The following year, Sonora Dodd from Washington attempted to establish the equivalent to Mother’s Day, having been raised by a widower. Thanks to her efforts, the first national celebration of Father’s took place in 1910.

Father’s Day was marketed in different ways before becoming a National Holiday. For example, during the Great Depression, retailers attempted to brand it as “Second Christmas”. Also during WWII, advertisers said it was a way to honor American Troops and support their efforts.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day

Survey says...

We asked dads what are the gifts they would most like to receive and the ones they would least like to receive. And this is what they said:

Most wanted:

Gift certificates

A gift related to a hobby

Card

Electronic gadgets

Dinner with the family

Least wanted:

Anything to do with yardwork

Gag gift/Novelty gift

Grill accessories

Wallet

Clothing