Written By: Sitara Nair

Every year, on the third Sunday of June, Father’s Day is internationally celebrated. This is a day to honor and appreciate all fathers who work hard and recognize their sacrifices! So let’s learn about it!

History

In 1908, Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, established Mother’s Day, a day to honor and appreciate moms nationwide. The holiday gained national recognition swiftly and was officially established in 1914, and had great acceptance across the United States. After seeing the rampant success of Mother’s Day, many decided that there should be a day for fathers too! However, this proposal wasn’t taken as well as Mother’s Day was. Many people claim that Mother’s Day is appealing because it highlights the sentimental value of motherhood, while Father's Day would completely lack this aspect. During that time in history, fathers played a different role within the family. They were viewed as providers and were often tough, acting as protectors. Because of these traits, many believed that a holiday like this wouldn’t be suitable or make sense. Regardless, many people still fought for the day, because fathers work incredibly hard too! The first known Father’s Day was run by a woman named Grace Golden Clayton, in Virginia on July 5, 1908. She did this to honor the hundreds of men who lost their lives in mining accidents and to acknowledge their sacrifices. Later, in 1910, Sonora Smart Dodd is credited with starting the more widely recognized celebrations of Father's Day in Spokane, Washington. Her inspiration stemmed from a Mother's Day sermon, and she aimed to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children single-handedly.

It took a lot of work to establish Father’s Day as a national holiday, and the bill went through multiple administrations. In 1921, President Calvin Coolidge supported it to strengthen father-child bonds. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson set the date as the third Sunday in June. In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed it into law, making it an official national holiday.

What Father’s Day Means Today

Father’s Day is a time to thank and celebrate dads and all father figures! It started as a way to honor a father’s role in the family, and today, it’s celebrated in many different ways.

The most popular ways people celebrate fathers day is:

• Giving cards or handmade gifts

• Sharing a meal together

• Spending quality time, like going on a walk or watching a movie

• Planning a barbecue or family outing

• Making phone or video calls if they live far away

• Schools and communities sometimes help kids make crafts or write notes for their dads.

All in all, Father’s Day reminds us how important fathers are and gives us a chance to say thank you. Over time, it’s become a celebration that includes all kinds of dads; stepdads, grandpas, uncles, and mentors, too. So, if you have anyone in your life whom you consider a father figure, let them know how much you love and appreciate them!