Amit Desai

Fathers Day and its History

This article is about fathers Day and its history. Every fact tells a different history of Fathers Day. We discuss the stories that state the origin of fathers Day. The stories are quite fascinating.

Being a father is one of the most joyous experiences of  life. Fatherhood is an extreme bliss. The role of a father in a family is not  only of the bread earner, but he is the guide and the supporter of the family.  Fathers Day is the day to send special thanks to our dear fathers, the person  who has stood beside us holding our hands through thick and thin.

Father's Day is a wonderful festival that acknowledges and  appreciates the important role played by a father in raising the children and  contributing with everything he has towards the family.  We have all loved our fathers and they have  been revered and respected by everyone across the world since time immoral but  the official recognition of the importance of Fathers in our lives started since  the last century.

Historians have recorded that there was a tradition to celebrate Father's Day even thousands of years ago. Their study say that 4,000 years ago in  Babylon a son called Elmesu carved a Father's Day message on a clay card. In  his message Elmesu wished his father, a long and healthy life. Historically  this was the beginning of observing a day especially dedicated to fathers. It  is believed that several countries retained the custom of celebrating Father's  Day from then on.

As recorded by the history channel,  the first known celebration of Father's Day was on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia,  where it was commemorated at William Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South  – now known as Central   United Methodist   Church. Grace Golden  Clayton is believed to have suggested it to her pastor after a deadly explosion  in nearby Monongah in December, killing 361 men. Some other facts  collected by famous historians state that Father's Day story is the tale of  realization of the need for a Father's Day festival primarily by Ms Sonora  Louise Smart Dodd of Washington. The story narrates Sonora's undeterred struggle to officially  set a day to honor all fathers. Thanks to Sonora, today Fathers Day is celebrated in a  large number of countries around the world.

Ms Sonora Louise Smart Dodd of Washington is the pioneer of Fathers Day  celebration. It was also during a sermon in 1909 that Sonora Smart Dodd  became inspired  by Mother's Day. At the tender age of 27 , Sonora’s heart kept on  pondering. She wanted  to know that if there is a day to honor mothers then why not for  fathers? This differentiation  touched her heart very much.  Sonara had  a strong influence of a father figure in her own life. Sonora felt  strongly for fathers because of  the affection she received from her own father Mr William Jackson  Smart, a  Civil War veteran. Sonora's  mother died during childbirth when she was just 16. Mr Smart raised the  newborn  and five other children with love and care. Sonora wanted to show how  thankful she was  to her father and, because William was born in June, she worked hard   to have the first Father's Day celebrated on  June 19, 1910. The Spokane Ministerial Association and the local Young  Men's  Christian Association (YMCA) of Spokane Washington supported Sonora's  cause and strived as a team. As a  result Spokane  celebrated its first Father's Day on June 19, 1910. Though there was  initial  hesitation the idea gained gradual popularity all over US and Fathers  Day came  to be celebrated in cities across the country. In 1924, President  Coolidge  recommended that Father's Day become a national holiday. President  Johnson  designated the third Sunday of June to be Father's Day in 1966. It was  not  until 1972 that President Nixon instituted Father's Day as a national  observance.

Since then fathers Day is an important day in each one of our lives.In  countries across the globe people take opportunity of Father's Day to  honor their dads with cards , chocolates , flowers and other gift of love .  Spending time with dad and indulging in fun-filled activities is another common  feature of Father's Day celebration around the world. Now with the advent of  internet technology sending gifts on Fathers day through an online medium has  also gained popularity. Now sitting in any corner of the world you can send  beautiful gifts to your father through the online gifting websites . So send  loads of gift to your dad this Fathers Day .

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