BlackDog's Father's Day - History

We all know why we celebrate Father's Day, but how and when did it start?

Father's Day is a new holiday.  The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington.  It was proposed by Sonora Smart Dodd (Mrs. John B. Dodd) of Washington State in 1909 after attending a Mother's Day service.  Mrs. Dodd wanted to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran, who raised six children after his wife died in childbirth.

In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day, but it wasn't until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson signed the proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June Father's Day officially in the United States.  Even then, the first Presidential Proclamation in 1966 was only for one year.  It wasn't until April 24, 1972 that Father's Day was assured annual recognition by Presidential Proclamation.

Today, Father's Day is as popular a holiday as Mother's Day.  Although Father's Day is not celebrated on the same day everywhere in the world, the concept of honoring Dad with a special day seems to be universal.

Believe it or not, flowers are a part of Father's Day tradition.  Red roses are worn on Father's Day to signify that one's father is living, while white roses mean one's father has died.

BlackDog's Father's Day Celebration is dedicated to the memories of R.G. Corley and O.J. Craig, two very special Dads.

Now that you know all about it, Take the Dad Quiz.

BlackDog's Father's Day Celebration

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