The History of Father's Day

Ironically it was the inspiration of a Mother’s Day sermon that eventually led to the creation of Father’s Day. In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington listened to the sermon and realized that her father was deserving of equal accolades. Henry Jackson Smart, a farmer and Civil War Veteran, raised Sonora and her five young siblings after his wife died of complications from the birth of their sixth child.

Sonora wanted a special day for her dad to know how much she appreciated his love and selflessness, as well as the sacrifices he made as a single parent. On June 19, 1910, Henry’s birthday, Sonora held the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge publicly supported a National Father’s Day. Eventually, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation, making Father’s Day a national holiday. Six years later, President Richard Nixon made it a permanent law to celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June.

Father’s Day is the fourth largest card-sending holiday in the country with nearly 95 million cards given last year. Last year, nearly three-quarters of Americans surveyed acknowledged or celebrated Father’s Day. Yet on the eve of last year’s holiday, over 50% of Americans didn’t know what they were buying for the holiday. If you’re part of that majority, and aren’t sure about what to buy this year, consider buying Dad a gift certificate to Phantom Fireworks!

Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.