A Brief History of Father’s Day

Did you know that Father’s Day originally started as a religious observance? It was a traditional Catholic holiday that celebrates fatherhood. History tells us that the special day can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Traditionally, the date was set on March 19 as it coincides with the Feast of St. Joseph. With the traditional background of Father’s Day, the modern version began in the United States in the early parts of the 20th century. 

Its origin in the United States 

Father’s Day is in fact inspired by the creation and celebration of Mother’s Day. As Anna Jarvis has successfully made Mother’s Day popular over the years. The objective of Father’s Day was to complement Mother’s Day by recognizing the father’s role in parenting. Both holidays had their first celebrations in West Virginia. 

However, little did we know that the celebration was inspired by the tragedy of the Monongah mining disaster in 1907. This event killed 361 miners with 250 of them being fathers. However, the celebration did not become popular since it was not advertised outside Fairmont, West Virginia. 

Establishment of Father’s Day

It was the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd that made Father’s Day popular. The reason for her determination was that she and her siblings were raised by a single father. She was inspired after hearing a sermon at the church about the efforts of Anna Jarvis in establishing Mother’s Day. She believed that fathers also deserve the same celebration. 

Originally, the date was set every June 5, the birthday of her father. She then proposed it be moved to June 19, 1910, the 3rd Sunday of the month. Based on these events, several politicians attempted to formalize the holiday. It was then U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson who designated the celebration of Father’s Day with a presidential proclamation. It was made a national holiday in 1972 by President Richard M. Nixon.

Celebrating Father’s Day today

These days, families have their own ways of celebrating Father’s Day. Whether you are celebrating your father, spouse, step-father, brother, or role model, there are always cool ways to make the special day special and memorable. Here are some activities that you can do on Father’s Day:

• Scavenger hunt – this is a fun activity and a great way to hide gifts. 
• Share your favorite memories of your father – sharing and saving memories of your dad will keep them fresh in your mind. This will likewise make him feel loved and honored.
• Make a homemade gift – looking for gifts in the mall can be time-consuming and may even be costly. Try out something new and make a homemade gift. This will also save you time and money.
• Go on a vacation – now that the COVID19 pandemic is not a scare anymore, more tourist spots are opening their doors to travelers. Choose a location where your dad will have fun and relax. However, be careful as the virus is just around the corner. 
• Put on a show – this could be a skit, song, stand-up comedy, or any talent show. For sure, your dad or grandfather will enjoy this moment. 
• Prepare a Father’s Day dinner – make something delicious that you can enjoy with the family.