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The Story of Father's Day
After Mother's Day was begun in 1908, churches around the country began having special services to honor mothers. One service was in Spokane, Washington. The service was about how much mothers do for their children, but a woman named Sonora Louise Smart Dodd was thinking of her father.
Sonora's mother had died. Sonora's father had raised her and her five brothers and sisters all by himself, including the baby. He was also a veteran of the Civil War. He was brave and he was generous, and he was loving to his family. Sonora thought that fathers should have a special day too. His birthday was in June, and so a special service was held at her church in Spokane, Washington.
The idea caught on. People began to talk about the many things fathers do for their families.
Harry Meek of the Chicago Lion's Club gave speeches. By 1920 he was known for promoting a day to honor fathers.
In 1924 President Coolidge celebrated Father's Day with his family. He supported the idea of a national holiday, but it was many years before Father's Day was officially recognized.
You see, in those days, all the politicians were men. If men created a holiday to celebrate men, it seemed a little bit like patting yourself on the back. But amongst the people, more and more families thought that it was fair to honor both the mother and the father.
After many years, Father's Day finally became an official holiday when President Lyndon Johnson made a Presidential Proclamation in 1966, that the third Sunday in June was to be observed as Father's Day.
In 1972, President Richard Nixon made the third Sunday in June Father's Day a permanent event.
So what does it mean to me?
Some kids have fathers in their lives, some have stepfathers, foster fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or guardians. Some kids know a man in their lives who they respect and look up to. We call these men "father figures".
Write 3 things that your father figure does for you.
Write 3 things that you are thankful for about your father figure.
Write 3 things you could do for your father figure, that he would enjoy.
Circle the 1 thing you plan to do this Father's Day!
