History of Fathers Day

20th June 2010

Father's Day History

Father's day is believed to have originated in Spokane, Washington, USA. in 1910. 

The original idea is attributed to Mrs John Bruce-Dodd whom wanted a day to remember her father whose selflessness and devotion to her and her siblings was unswerving after her mother died whilst giving birth to the sixth child of the family.

Father's day became a national celebration in the USA for the first time in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day however it was not until 1966 that it was set in statue in the USA to fall on the 3rd Sunday of June.

In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City.

In 1956, Father's Day was officially recognised in the USA by a Joint Resolution of Congress.

In 1966, US President, Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day in the USA to be held on the third Sunday of June.

It appears that the anniversary was imported from America and it was not until the late 1970's did it start to grow in popularity. It is believed it is not even officially recognised by the government in the UK.
Facts About Fathers

• Historians agree that a tradition to celebrate and honor fathers began thousands of years ago. A study shows that 4,000 years ago in Babylon, a son carved a special message to his father on a card made of clay. He wished his dad a long and healthy life. It is believed that several countries adopted this custom of celebrating Father’s Day.
• Carnations are known as the traditional flower of Mother’s Day, but the rose is the official flower of Father’s Day. Sonora Smart Dodd selected the rose for this special holiday, and in many countries people wear roses on Father’s Day, red if dad is alive and white if he is deceased.
• It’s estimated by the U.S. Census that in 2006 there were close to 150,000 stay-at-home dads; married fathers with children younger than 15 who have been out of the workforce for more than one year. These “Mr. Moms” cared for approximately 283,000 kids.
• Many dads who have full-time jobs work evening or night shifts and take care of their preschool-age kids during the day while mom goes to work.
• Nearly half of children living with both parents eat dinner with their fathers every day; even kids living with unmarried fathers share dinner with dad.
• Dads are known for their kind words: more than half of all dads praise their children three or more times a day.