Father’s Day
This United States holiday was designed to honor the special role of fathers.
This United States holiday was designed to honor the special role of fathers.
Nathaniel Glanzman
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There are several differing accounts of the start of Father’s Day.
The first known celebration of a day honoring fathers occurred in West Virginia in 1908. In 1907, 362 men were killed in an explosion at the Fairmont Coal Company in Monongah, West Virginia. Grace Golden Clayton, the daughter of a reverend in Monongah, proposed a service be held that year to honor the fathers lost and still alive. The large number of casualties made it the largest mine disaster in United States history, leaving 1,000 women and children without husbands and fathers. The service to honor fathers was a one time event, but left an indelible mark on U.S. history.
Father’s Day as we know it today, however, started on the opposite coast. Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington is widely credited as the founder of Father’s Day. Dodd was inspired by Mother’s Day, which began in 1907. She was raised by a single father and wanted a similar holiday to honor him and all fathers. The mayor of Spokane proclaimed June 17, 1910 Father’s Day.
In 1916, despite his apparent support for the idea, President Woodrow Wilson failed to sign a proclamation declaring Father’s Day. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge set aside a day to honor fathers, but did not make it an official U.S. holiday. Father’s Day did not become official until 1972. That year, President Richard M. Nixon declared Father’s Day a national holiday. He designated the third Sunday in June for the celebration.
When it is celebrated
Father's Day takes place on the third Sunday in June for people in the United States.
Traditions
Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day focuses on letting the fathers in one’s life know how important they are. Family members often give gifts to fathers on this day. Families also frequently take dads out to eat or engage in some other leisure activity together. It is a day for family togetherness.
In honor of Father’s Day, check out these “Dad jokes” from Fatherhood.gov.
What to say
“Happy Father’s Day!” is a traditional greeting on Father’s Day.
In recent years, those without fathers (or without a good relationship with their fathers) have expressed how Father’s Day can bring up painful and upsetting emotions, like grief and anger. If you know your loved one does not have a good relationship with their father, it may be more helpful to ask how they are doing rather than giving them a sunny Father’s Day greeting. Offer them your support, rather than judgment. Listen to them openly and honestly.
If one’s father has passed, this can also be a fraught time. See our article on what to do on the anniversary of a loss for more.