Celebrate Father’s Day and Recognize the Positive Influence Men Provide This holiday is the complement of Mother’s Day. Father’s Day was established in early 20th century America to correspond with this celebration. The main innovator was Sonora Dodd. Dodd held the first significant Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington in 1910. Dodd’s own father fought in the Civil War and then raised six children on his own in Spokane. When Dodd listened to a Mother’s Day sermon at her church, she considered the absence of her own mother, and her Father’s valiant efforts of raising the children on his own, believing there deserved to be a holiday honoring fathers. The tradition stopped when Dodd left for school in Chicago. When she returned, she took up holiday promotion, but this time nationally. Her strategic efforts included working with business groups that would profit from such a holiday, such as men’s clothing companies and tobacco companies. Father’s Day Council was founded by the New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers. President Woodrow Wilson wished to make the holiday official, but its commercial nature caused Congress to not pass the bill. It was not until Margaret Chase Smith, a senator from Main, stated that it was unfair to honor mothers and not fathers in 1957. President Johnson finally issued a proclamation in 1966 and Nixon made the holiday official in 1972. Thanks to all the dads and the men who enrich our lives with their strength, wisdom, support and love. Page | 1
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.