What is Father’s Day?

Father’s Day is a day set aside each year to honor fathers and father figures across the world. It is a special occasion to appreciate the bond between fathers and their children and to celebrate everything fathers do for their families. Father’s Day is celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday in June, although some countries observe Father’s Day on different dates depending on the country’s culture and history.

History of Father’s Day

The origin of Father’s Day dates back over a century, although many countries have adopted their own Father’s Day traditions at different times. The modern Father’s Day holiday was started in 1908 in honor of a man named William Jackson Smart, whose wife gave him five children in addition to the six children from his previous marriage. In 1910, Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, Washington began promoting Father’s Day, and in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. In 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the third Sunday of June to be Father’s Day, and in 1972 President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a federal holiday.

Celebrating Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate fathers, whether they are biological fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, father figures, or anyone else who plays an important role in your life. It is a time to show your appreciation with gifts, activities, and heartfelt expressions of love. The gifts can range from simple to extravagant, depending on what a father is most interested in. Activities for the day may include a family picnic, attending a sporting event, or enjoying a special meal. Expressions of love could be handmade cards, writing a letter, or simply spending quality time together. No matter how you choose to spend it, Father’s Day is a day to recognize and appreciate all the great dads in our lives.