Fathers’ Day is a holiday celebrated worldwide. Although the United States did not begin informally observing the day until the early twentieth century, many countries began earlier. Honoring fathers and fatherhood in Catholic Europe has been part of the culture since the Middle Ages and is known as St. Joseph’s Day.
Fathers’ Day in America was first celebrated at the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. The idea of Fathers’ Day belonged to Sonora Smart Dodd. She believed, after hearing about Mother’s Day celebrations, that fathers should be honored as well. Dodd discontinued her promotion of Fathers Day in 1920, as she was preoccupied with her studies at The Art Institute of Chicago. When Dodd returned to Spokane in the 1930’s she began promoting Fathers’ Day once again raising awareness throughout the Country.
For 40 years Congress ignored overtures to recognize Fathers’ Day formally, and in 1966 President Lyndon B Johnson issues a proclamation honoring fathers. Six years later President Nixon signed it into law as a permanent national holiday, celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
“It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.” – Pope John XXIII
“I just owe almost everything to my father [and] it’s passionately interesting for me that the things that I learned in a small town, in a very modest home, are just the things that I believe have won the election.” – Margaret Thatcher
“I love my daddy. My daddy’s everything. I hope I can find a man that will treat me as good as my dad.” -Lady Gaga
“A father’s tears and fears are unseen, his love is unexpressed, but his care and protection remains as a pillar of strength throughout our lives.” –Ama H. Vanniarachchy
“A girl’s first true love is her father.” –Marisol Santiago
“My dad was my best friend and greatest role model. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend.” –Tiger Woods
Happy Fathers’ Day to all fathers who are present to celebrate, for those who are with us in spirit only, and for those that have served as a father to others in need. – Premier Health Associates