Happy Father’s Day from the Jefferson County Post
Fathers are such an important influence and piece of our lives. Today we honor them as it is Sunday June 17th, 2018 otherwise known as Father’s Day. For all of their hard work and effort that they put into making us laugh and raising us to be our best, we say thank you Dad. Ever wonder where Father’s Day came from. The history is a little more complicated than you may think.
Father’s Day does not have as humble and history origins as Mother’s Day seems to have. Some have explained that it took so long for there to even be a father’s day is because “fathers don’t have as much sentimental appeal as mothers.” This is a general overview of father’s and fatherhood that many of us would not agree with. While no parent is perfect, fathers have their place along with mothers that is an important part in their child’s lives.
Father’s Day origins actually being with tragedy. One of the first known celebrations of fathers came in 1908 after men had lost their lives in a mine explosion the previous December. While those lives that were lost were technically honored, it did not spark a national holiday.
The holiday would come with the effort in that same year of Sonora Smart Dodd. She was one of six children who had been raised by a widower father and was looking for a way to honor him and all the hard work that he did. She wanted a holiday that was the equivalent of Mother’s Day. Dodd would go throughout her community to gather support for the movement of the holiday. Eventually she was successful, and Washington State would celebrate the nation’s first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.
Slowly celebrations of the holiday spread. President Wilson honored the day in `1916. President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day in 1924. The holiday is even celebrated internationally although European nations tend to celebrate fathers on St. Josephs Day in March.
The holiday, like anything else, has not been without some backlash. Some men argue that Father’s Day is an affront to their masculinity. Especially with gifts and some of the cards that are given on the holiday. Others want to get rid of separate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations all together and instead have a unified Parent’s Day.
Today celebration of Fathers and father figures continue. Many celebrate Father’s Day by taking the time to visit their own father’s or spend time with family. Today it might be a good idea to call up dad and see how he is doing. Or take the time to go and see him in person, you will never know how much he will appreciate the visit. Get everyone involved in the celebrations and remind dad how much he is loved and appreciated regardless. Have a Happy Father’s Day from all of us here at the Jefferson County Post!
