ALT-1 Facts about Fathers Day
In the first decade of the twentieth century one of the two most valuable members of family had a special day of honor, while the other did not. The campaign to recognize a special day to celebrate mothers started earlier than the campaign to recognize a special day to celebrate fathers. Mother’s Day became a national holiday in 1914 but the recognition and celebration of mothers started earlier.
In 1909, a girl who lived in Spokane, Washington was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon and decided that there should be a special day to honor fathers. Sonora Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War Veteran. Mr. Smart was a widower and had raised six children on a farm.
In 1924, the plans for Father’s Day were supported by President Calvin Coolidge and a national father’s day committee met in New York City to further discuss the Father’s Day plans in 1926.
Because of Sonora Dodd’s efforts the Mayor of Spokane proclaimed June 19, 1910 as a day to honor fathers because it was William Smart’s birthday and many years later in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.
President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made the annual celebration of Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June permanent.
Today Father’s Day is the fifth most card sending holiday according to Hallmark. A father is described as many things, a hero, a champion, strong, understanding, support, a provider, a protector, and loving but whatever the description he is the one who made you possible.
According to Anne Sexton, “it doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.”
The day for honoring fathers was first celebrated in America but is now celebrated in many parts of the world. Thailand observes Father’s Day on December 5th. The first Sunday of September is observed as Father’s Day in Australia and the second Sunday of November is observed as Father’s Day in Finland.
Father’s Day should be recognized in the animal kingdom because fatherhood is phenomenal in many animal families.
A father sea catfish keeps the eggs of his young in his mouth until they are ready to hatch. He will not eat until his young are born.
The father of the cockroach family will eat bird droppings for precious nitrogen and carry it back to feed his young.
The Rhea, a large South American bird takes sole responsibility of caring for the eggs and chicks. He feeds and protects them until they are old enough to take care of themselves.
Father’s Day is a special day that recognizes a special person who keeps the human race from fading out.
