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Where Did
Father’s Day Originate? |
Where did Father’s Day Originate? While there are about
seven renditions relating to the origin of Father’s Day,
the most widely held version is this:
Father's Day originated through a young girl named
Sonora Louise Smart, who lived in Spokane, Washington.
Apparently, after listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in
1909, she wondered why fathers weren’t celebrated as
well. At 16, Sonora lost her mother in childbirth and
her dad, a civil war veteran, raised Sonora and her five
siblings. Determined to have Father’s Day recognized as
a special day, Sonora finally witnessed the first
Father’s Day celebration on June 19, 1910. Subsequently,
the idea gained popularity all over the US and thus
Father’s Day became a national day of celebration.
In fact, President Woodrow Wilson, noticing the depth to
which this day became so popular, approved the idea in
1916. Furthermore, it was President Calvin Coolidge, who
also loved this idea, proclaimed Father’s Day as a
national celebration in 1924. Interestingly enough, in
1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential
proclamation stating the third Sunday in June would be
officially declared Father’s Day.
It didn’t end there! President Richard Nixon permanently
established the observance of Father’s Day in 1972. What
happened to the young girl who started it all? You will
be happy to hear that Sonora Smart Dodd was honored at
the World’s Fair in Spokane in 1974 for her contribution
in making Father’s Day a national day of recognition.
Today, Father’s Day is celebrated around the world;
however, not all countries celebrate it on the same day.
In fact, in Australia and New Zealand, for example, it
is celebrated on the first Sunday of September.
Beginning with an idea and the determination to see it
through, Sonora Louise Smart was the catalyst who
brought recognition to make Father’s Day a day of
celebration. It’s amazing what one person can do, isn’t
it? |
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Recommended Reading:
Quiet Time Bible Guide
The Power of a Praying Parent
Bible Devotions for Bedtime
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