Father’s Day History

The idea of celebrating "Father's Day" originated in 1909 in Washington. Sonora Smart got this idea while listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She thought of a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. William raised all the six children by himself. When Sonora grew into an adult, she realized the courage and selflessness shown by her father. Sonora's father was born in June, so she decided to celebrate the first Father's Day celebration on June 19, 1910. President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father's Day. The National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City in 1926. A Joint Resolution of Congress recognized Father's day in 1956. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Richard Nixon signed the law, which finally made it permanent in 1972. Happy Father’s Day to our dads!