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Fathers' Day
The
creation of a national day for Dads began back in the 1900s when a
grateful daughter wanted to express her deep appreciation for her own
father. William Smart was a civil war veteran. He was widowed
when his wife died in childbirth. Mr. Smart raised his six children on
a rural farm in eastern Washington State. When Sonora Louise Smart
Dodd, one of Mr. Smart's children, was grown she wanted to show her
appreciation for her father. He had shown her a great love and strength
in raising her and her siblings as a single parent. So, in 1909, she
proposed a day to honor her father in June (the month of her father's
birth).
The very first Fathers' Day followed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane,
Washington. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge showed support of this
becoming a national holiday. However, it wasn't until 1966 when
President Lyndon Johnson officially proclaimed Fathers' Day a national
holiday to be celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June.
Harry C. Meek, president of the Lions Club in Chicago, was also a
component in establishing Fathers' Day. He gave several speeches
around the United States expressing the need for a day to honor our
fathers. In 1920, the Lions Clubs of America presented him with a gold
watch with the inscription "Originator of Fathers' Day".
Traditions
- If your father is living, wear a red rose.
- If your father has passed away, wear a white
rose.
- The very creative tie as a gift.
- A cookout, usually prepared by Dad himself.
- Tell your Dad how much you love him and
why.
- Give him a great big hug.
by
W.Holidays
modified: April 24, 2008
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