This Sunday marks the 100th Father’s Day. However, the idea of a day to honor dear old dad was conceived slightly more than a century ago by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington.
While listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, Dodd was inspired to create a special day of appreciation for her special father—William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who raised six children on his farm. Dodd’s idea touched City Hall, and in 1910 Spokane’s mayor proclaimed the first Father’s Day in June to commemorate the month of Smart’s birth.
Over the years, the Father’s Day tradition spread across the country and became increasingly more official. In 1926, a National Father’s Day Committee was formed in New York City; and in 1956 it was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress.
The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.
Of course, the number of dads has dramatically increased in the past 100 years. There are now an estimated 67.8 million fathers across the nation, according to a report from the U.S. census.
Roles of fathers have changed too, as there are about 158,000 stay-at-home dads as of 2009, according to figures from America’s Families and Living Arrangements. These dads have remained out of the labor force for at least one year, primarily to care for the family while their wives work outside the home. These fathers provided care for 290,000 children.
There were about 1.7 million single fathers as of 2009; and 15 percent of all single parents were men. Of these men, 8 percent were raising three or more children younger than 18. About 47 percent were divorced, 29 percent were never married, 18 percent were separated, and 5 percent were widowed.
Not Another Tie
Still considering what to get your dad for Father’s Day? If you decide to go with a tie or shirt, you have 8,610 men’s clothing stores around the country to choose from (as of 2007, according to County Business Patterns).
However, if you have a father more interested in fixing than fashion, there are 14,193 hardware stores to purchase that new ratchet set or electric drill. Additionally, there were 7,150 home centers across the country in 2007.
Then again, if you decide to give dad supplies for his well-earned leisure time, you can choose from among 23,756 sporting goods stores. These are good places to purchase traditional gifts for dad, such as fishing rods and golf clubs.
While listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, Dodd was inspired to create a special day of appreciation for her special father—William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who raised six children on his farm. Dodd’s idea touched City Hall, and in 1910 Spokane’s mayor proclaimed the first Father’s Day in June to commemorate the month of Smart’s birth.
Over the years, the Father’s Day tradition spread across the country and became increasingly more official. In 1926, a National Father’s Day Committee was formed in New York City; and in 1956 it was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress.
The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.
Of course, the number of dads has dramatically increased in the past 100 years. There are now an estimated 67.8 million fathers across the nation, according to a report from the U.S. census.
Roles of fathers have changed too, as there are about 158,000 stay-at-home dads as of 2009, according to figures from America’s Families and Living Arrangements. These dads have remained out of the labor force for at least one year, primarily to care for the family while their wives work outside the home. These fathers provided care for 290,000 children.
There were about 1.7 million single fathers as of 2009; and 15 percent of all single parents were men. Of these men, 8 percent were raising three or more children younger than 18. About 47 percent were divorced, 29 percent were never married, 18 percent were separated, and 5 percent were widowed.
Not Another Tie
Still considering what to get your dad for Father’s Day? If you decide to go with a tie or shirt, you have 8,610 men’s clothing stores around the country to choose from (as of 2007, according to County Business Patterns).
However, if you have a father more interested in fixing than fashion, there are 14,193 hardware stores to purchase that new ratchet set or electric drill. Additionally, there were 7,150 home centers across the country in 2007.
Then again, if you decide to give dad supplies for his well-earned leisure time, you can choose from among 23,756 sporting goods stores. These are good places to purchase traditional gifts for dad, such as fishing rods and golf clubs.
Friends Read Free