Father’s Day 2024 is observed globally to honor the impact that fathers and other father figures have on their children’s lives. This day honors male parenting and fatherhood. Several nations commemorate this day on the third Sunday in June, while it is observed on many different dates throughout the world.
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History of Father’s Day
When Sonora Louise Smart Dodd presented her petition proposing a yearly commemoration to the Spokane Ministerial Association and the local Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) on June 6, 1910, she was met with resounding support. On Sunday, June 19, 1910, Spokane celebrated its inaugural Father’s Day, featuring heartfelt speeches from local churches and her pastor.
The first president to observe it was the US President Woodrow Wilson in June 1916 and the president used the telephone to open church services in Spokane from the Oval Office. This prompted Wilson to rally for a day of observation for fathers to make it a national holiday just like he had done with Mother’s Day in 1915, but much to his disappointment members of the Congress opposed it because they saw it as a day that might seek support from the Mother’s Day holiday and commercialization of the day for fathers was not as beneficial as it was believed.
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Undeterred,
Dodd took her mission on the road and began to speak directly to fathers in an attempt to win their endorsement. However, the book was not well received and the critics gave her a really tough time. Specifically, The Spokesman-Review said that they laughed at her and told her that they never wanted a Father’s Day.
The attempt to establish Father’s day faced even more challenges years later. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge encouraged the states to adopt the day, however, he did not issue a proclaimed holiday, and by the 1930s there were strong attempts at combining Mother’s Day and Father’s Day into one Parent’s Day celebration. The first Father’s Day, however, did not even get off the ground by 1938; all the Father’s Day Council could afford and/or arrange was to persuade calendar manufacturers to print cartoons of Father’s Day in ties and pipes on the third Sunday in June. But the general public did not need to buy cards or gifts for Dad thinking that he might not even need those.
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Father’s Day Celebration Ideas
Father’s Day falls on June 19, 2024, which is a few days before the summer solstice. This year, then, is ideal for celebrating the start of summer with a BBQ, camping trip, beach day, or other outdoor event centered around fathers!
Camping: On Father’s Day weekend, spend a night beneath the stars. See the main constellations on our star map! Of course, cooking outside is a significant aspect of camping! View ten fantastic recipes for camping, with Hobo Packs!
Cooking: Fire up the grill! How about our beloved sandwich, the Super Steak? Or scroll down to the bottom of the page for ten additional recipe ideas.
Fishing: What would Dad need in his tackle box, or what would make a fantastic tackle box? Check out our piece on what goes in a tackle box.
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Why do we Celebrate Father’s Day?
The concept of celebrating a day for dads has a history commencing from the 1900s. When Dodd’s mother died while giving birth, her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was left to take care of his family and she, along with her siblings, decided to honor his courage by establishing the holiday.
Dodd wanted to do something to show how grateful she was for everything her father had done for her so she created a day that was created to let a daughter show the same love and respect as what a mother enjoys and expects,’ Dodd wrote about the day in a newspaper in 1910.
Due to her insistence, the first Father’s Day was held on June 19 of the same year. It might be for this reason that Father’s Day is in June because Dodd specifically selected the date out of the month of her father’s birth.
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FAQs
1. What is Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is a day to honor fathers and father figures for their role in their children’s lives. It celebrates male parenting and fatherhood.
2. When is Father’s Day 2024?
Father’s Day 2024 is on June 16.
3. How did Father’s Day start?
Father’s Day began in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910, after Sonora Louise Smart Dodd proposed the idea to honor her father. It supported by local churches and the YMCA.
4. Who first celebrated Father’s Day?
June 19, 1910, marked the inaugural Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington.
5. Which president first observed Father’s Day?
President Woodrow Wilson first observed Father’s Day in June 1916.
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Way Forward
Father’s Day, observed globally to honor the impact of fathers and father figures, falls on June 20, 2024. The day, which celebrates male parenting and fatherhood, has its roots in the early 1900s. It was first proposed by Sonora Louise Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington, to honor her father, William Smart. Despite facing many challenges, the holiday gradually gained acceptance and officially recognized as a national holiday in 1972. This year, celebrate Father’s Day with activities like camping, BBQs, and fishing to show appreciation for the fathers and father figures in our lives.
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