Thanks to all the struggle and difficult labor of
Ms.
Sonora Louise Dodd, also referred to as the "Mother
of Father's Day," just as we have set aside Mother's
Day to honor mothers we have a day to acknowledge
the important role played by fathers. The modern day
version of Father's Day celebration originated in the
United States and subsequently the tradition spread
to countries around the world. The idea of Father's
Day celebration originated in Sonora's mind while
listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She pondered that
if there is a day to honor mothers then why not a day for
fathers? Sonora felt so strongly for fathers because of
the love and affection she received from her own father
Mr. William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran. Sonora
was16 years old when her mother died in 1898, leaving
her father to raise her and her five younger brothers.
Sonora Louise Dodd, also referred to as the "Mother
of Father's Day," just as we have set aside Mother's
Day to honor mothers we have a day to acknowledge
the important role played by fathers. The modern day
version of Father's Day celebration originated in the
United States and subsequently the tradition spread
to countries around the world. The idea of Father's
Day celebration originated in Sonora's mind while
listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She pondered that
if there is a day to honor mothers then why not a day for
fathers? Sonora felt so strongly for fathers because of
the love and affection she received from her own father
Mr. William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran. Sonora
was16 years old when her mother died in 1898, leaving
her father to raise her and her five younger brothers.
Inspired by Ms. Anna Jarvis's battle to promote
Mother's Day, Sonora began a rigorous campaign to
celebrate Father's Day. The Spokane Ministerial
Association and the local Young Men's Christian
Association (YMCA) supported her cause. As a
result, Spokane celebrated its first Father's Day on
June 19, 1910. Sonora had suggested her father's
birthday, June 5th, be established as the day to honor
all fathers. However, the pastors wanted more time to
prepare, so June 19, 1910 was designated as the first
Father's Day. After a protracted struggle of over 6
decades, President Richard Nixon established a
permanent national observance of Father's Day to be
held on the third Sunday of June in 1972. Sonora
Smart Dodd was honored for her contribution at the
World's Fair in Spokane in 1974.
Mother's Day, Sonora began a rigorous campaign to
celebrate Father's Day. The Spokane Ministerial
Association and the local Young Men's Christian
Association (YMCA) supported her cause. As a
result, Spokane celebrated its first Father's Day on
June 19, 1910. Sonora had suggested her father's
birthday, June 5th, be established as the day to honor
all fathers. However, the pastors wanted more time to
prepare, so June 19, 1910 was designated as the first
Father's Day. After a protracted struggle of over 6
decades, President Richard Nixon established a
permanent national observance of Father's Day to be
held on the third Sunday of June in 1972. Sonora
Smart Dodd was honored for her contribution at the
World's Fair in Spokane in 1974.
