Unveiling the True Story Behind Father's Day

While Mother's Day swiftly cemented its place in the American calendar, the journey for fathers to receive their own dedicated day was a longer, more arduous, yet deeply personal one. The true origin story of Father's Day isn't found in a grand decree, but in the unwavering love of a daughter.

Our narrative transports us to Spokane, Washington, in 1909. A young woman named Sonora Smart Dodd sat in church, listening intently to a sermon honoring mothers. This was just a year after the first official Mother's Day celebration had been observed. As the words about maternal love filled the air, Sonora's thoughts drifted to her own extraordinary father, William Jackson Smart.

William was a Civil War veteran. His wife, Sonora's mother, had tragically passed away in childbirth with their sixth child. In the face of such profound loss, William took on the immense responsibility of raising all six children, including the newborn, by himself on their farm. He never remarried, dedicating his life to nurturing and providing for his children with immense strength, compassion, and unwavering resolve.

Sonora, reflecting on her father's selfless sacrifices and tireless efforts, felt a powerful conviction: if mothers were celebrated, fathers, especially men like her own, deserved equal recognition for their contributions, their hard work, and their love.

Inspired by the burgeoning Mother's Day movement, Sonora decided to take action. She approached the local YMCA in Spokane and presented her idea for a "Father's Day." She suggested that the celebration be held on June 5th, her father's birthday, to make it truly personal. While that date proved too ambitious for the immediate planning, her passion resonated with the local ministerial alliance and the YMCA.

Through Sonora's determined efforts, the very first Father's Day observance took place on June 19, 1910, in Spokane. Churches across the city held special services, and Sonora herself delivered gifts to fathers who were homebound. The event was a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging the pivotal role fathers played in their families and society.

Despite this local success, gaining national recognition for Father's Day was an uphill battle. Sonora spent years advocating for the cause, traveling and speaking to various groups, from women's clubs to government officials. Early attempts to establish it as a federal holiday met with resistance. Some members of Congress were skeptical, fearing it was merely a commercial ploy or that it lacked the sentimental appeal of Mother's Day.

However, the idea slowly but surely gained traction. President Woodrow Wilson publicly honored Father's Day in 1916. Later, in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge encouraged state governments to observe the day. The momentum grew, albeit slowly, as people across the nation began to appreciate the sentiment behind the day.

Decades passed, and still, a national proclamation eluded the persistent efforts. It wasn't until 1957 that Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine famously introduced a resolution, wryly noting Congress's 40-year delay in acknowledging fathers while honoring mothers.

Finally, thanks to the persistent advocacy of Sonora Smart Dodd and the growing grassroots support she had cultivated over half a century, President Richard Nixon signed a joint resolution of Congress in 1972, officially proclaiming Father's Day as a national holiday. It was designated to be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June.

And so, every year, when we celebrate Father's Day, we are, in a way, celebrating Sonora Smart Dodd's enduring love for her father and her remarkable determination to see fathers everywhere honored for their strength, guidance, and unconditional love. It's a beautiful reminder that profound traditions can often begin with a single, deeply personal act of gratitude.