My Dad died in 1996 and I miss him very much.So, Happy Father's Day, Dad, and to all the great Dads that hang here on FR.
Posted on 06/19/2004 10:35:44 PM PDT by South40
Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards!
Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day." In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.
Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all be honored on Father's Day.
The old man got a lot smarter as I got older.
Thanks dad!
I thought my dad was so square in the '70s. Now, I'm amazed at how often and in so many ways I try to be like him.
> n fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards!
Ummmm... well... DUH!
Happy Fathers Day to all the dads on FR.
Yep, me too.
Dad retired from the military in 1975, retired from his post military employer and still works when he can.
I'm blown away by what he's accomplished.
My Dad died in 1996 and I miss him very much.So, Happy Father's Day, Dad, and to all the great Dads that hang here on FR.
In fact, this one makes perfect sense since it was 6 months after the huge mine disaster here on December 6, 1907, which killed at least 361 men (largest mine disaster in American history) -- rather then some lady just suddenly deciding in 1909 or so to start a holiday.
Let's not forget our heavenly Father today!
Abba, Father!
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