It all started when Mrs. John B. Dodd of Washington first
proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted
a special day to honour her father, William Smart. Mr. 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.
At about the same time, in various towns and cities across
America, other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's
day."
In 1924, U.S. 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 honour your father,
but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles,
grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honoured on
Father's Day.
"A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child."
Knights of Pythagoras
Celebrate Father's Day June 15 and honour your Dad.
Article supplied by Todd Wilkinson.
