The Origins of Father's Day

Father’s Day, celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June in many countries, has a rich history rooted in love and appreciation for paternal figures. The holiday’s origins trace back to early 20th-century America, inspired by the success of Mother’s Day.  

The first known Father’s Day celebration took place on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia, after a church service honored 362 men who had died in a mining explosion. However, the modern Father’s Day is largely credited to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. In 1909, Dodd proposed a day to honor fathers after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon. She wanted to recognise her own father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone. With local support, Spokane celebrated its first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.  

Despite growing popularity, Father’s Day faced resistance, with many viewing it as a commercial holiday. It wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson officially recognised it, and in 1972, President Richard Nixon made it a permanent national holiday.  

Today, Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide, though dates vary. Countries like the UK, Canada, and India follow the U.S. date, while others, such as Spain and Portugal, observe it on March 19th (St. Joseph’s Day). The holiday remains a heartfelt tribute to fathers, grandfathers, and father figures everywhere.