Origin of Father's Day still debated

Knoxter · 06-21-2009, 10:22 AM

Hey folks, here is an article I read in the Ada Herald, and I thought I'd share.

There is a small debate about when the first Father's Day celebration to place. Some say it was in 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia when Grace Golden Clayton suggested a commemoration to her pastor after a deadly explosion nearby killed over 350 men. This commemoration is believed to have taken place at her church on July 5, 1908.

Others say that the first real celebration occurred in Spokane, Washington a year later. Sonora Smart Dodd was raised by her father, along with five other siblings when their mother died in childbirth. After attending a Mother's Day service at church, Sonora realized the selflessness and sacrifice it took to be a single father. Working to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War Veteran, an unofficial Father's Day celebration took place June 18, 1910 on his rumored birthday.

Whether it all began on the East coast or the West coast, small towns across America began informally celebrating fathers on their own. ........

.......Whether Father's Day began 100 years ago, or 4,000, it is widely celebrated by more than 52 countries. The vast majority of which, all choose to celebrate in June. The special day has evolved into not only celebrating fathers, but all father figures. Be they uncles, grandfathers, brothers or friends, this month, we celebrate them all. Happy Father's Day!

Read the complete article Here.

rizz · 06-21-2009, 10:30 AM

that was an interesting read
thank you for that, always good to learn something new

atlfrog · 06-22-2009, 10:10 AM

From everything I have gathered, they all agree of the origin but seem to be having problems pin pointing the exact date. Another amazing thing was it wasn't until 1956 when Congress fully recognized the holiday and Richard Nixon established it as a permanent national observation on the third Sunday of June of every year. But all in all, the day was created by a young girl who wanted to show appreciation her single father in the early 1900's, which is amazing.

Food for thought, if we showed half the love and concern for others as this girl did in 1908, 1909, or 1910, just think what other Utopian holidays we would be celebrating at the moment or attitude we would experience with the ever evolving world. A little kindness and a whole lot of love goes a long way.

Some quotes and links to help Marc along as if you read the actual article it says some if not all of what is stated here...

"Well, it is widely believed that it was first celebrated in America in July the 5th 1908 in a small church in a town called Fairmont which is in the state of Virginia. There is an alternative view that a Mrs Sonora Dodd of Washington thought of the idea whilst attending Mothers Day service at her local church in 1909. " Where Did Fathers Day Come From - Birthday Gifts Australia Christmas Presents Wine Gift Baskets and Gift Hampers Online Present and Chocolate gifts Shop Perth

"1910: Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, organizes the first Father's Day celebration on June 19, her own father's birthday. The mayor of Spokane and the governor of Washington state officially support the event. Dodd's father, a farmer and Civil War veteran, had been a single father to six young children after the death of his wife." Father's Day : History of Father's Day

Knoxter · 06-22-2009, 11:43 PM

Thanks Mereck,

Your a wealth of resources. No sarcasm intended.

atlfrog · 06-23-2009, 12:00 AM

None taken. LOL

06-21-2009, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Knoxter Administrator/SiteOwner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 430 Real Name: Marc Knox	Origin of Father's Day still debated Hey folks, here is an article I read in the Ada Herald, and I thought I'd share. There is a small debate about when the first Father's Day celebration to place. Some say it was in 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia when Grace Golden Clayton suggested a commemoration to her pastor after a deadly explosion nearby killed over 350 men. This commemoration is believed to have taken place at her church on July 5, 1908. Others say that the first real celebration occurred in Spokane, Washington a year later. Sonora Smart Dodd was raised by her father, along with five other siblings when their mother died in childbirth. After attending a Mother's Day service at church, Sonora realized the selflessness and sacrifice it took to be a single father. Working to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War Veteran, an unofficial Father's Day celebration took place June 18, 1910 on his rumored birthday. Whether it all began on the East coast or the West coast, small towns across America began informally celebrating fathers on their own. ........ .......Whether Father's Day began 100 years ago, or 4,000, it is widely celebrated by more than 52 countries. The vast majority of which, all choose to celebrate in June. The special day has evolved into not only celebrating fathers, but all father figures. Be they uncles, grandfathers, brothers or friends, this month, we celebrate them all. Happy Father's Day! Read the complete article Here. __________________ Marc My frogs- Vanzolini, El Dorado (ong&gold), Cayo de Agua, Almerante, Gold Dust, Yuris, Imis, Inters, Taras, O Lamasi, Iquitos Vents, Varis, SI. I appreciate everyone here. Without you, there would be no DFF. Thank you for your support.

06-22-2009, 10:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
atlfrog Site Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ATL, GA, USA Posts: 396 Real Name: Matthew "Merek" Preferred.	Food For Thought... From everything I have gathered, they all agree of the origin but seem to be having problems pin pointing the exact date. Another amazing thing was it wasn't until 1956 when Congress fully recognized the holiday and Richard Nixon established it as a permanent national observation on the third Sunday of June of every year. But all in all, the day was created by a young girl who wanted to show appreciation her single father in the early 1900's, which is amazing. Food for thought, if we showed half the love and concern for others as this girl did in 1908, 1909, or 1910, just think what other Utopian holidays we would be celebrating at the moment or attitude we would experience with the ever evolving world. A little kindness and a whole lot of love goes a long way. Some quotes and links to help Marc along as if you read the actual article it says some if not all of what is stated here... "Well, it is widely believed that it was first celebrated in America in July the 5th 1908 in a small church in a town called Fairmont which is in the state of Virginia. There is an alternative view that a Mrs Sonora Dodd of Washington thought of the idea whilst attending Mothers Day service at her local church in 1909. " Where Did Fathers Day Come From - Birthday Gifts Australia Christmas Presents Wine Gift Baskets and Gift Hampers Online Present and Chocolate gifts Shop Perth "1910: Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, organizes the first Father's Day celebration on June 19, her own father's birthday. The mayor of Spokane and the governor of Washington state officially support the event. Dodd's father, a farmer and Civil War veteran, had been a single father to six young children after the death of his wife." Father's Day : History of Father's Day __________________ Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish Last edited by atlfrog; 06-22-2009 at 10:13 AM..

06-22-2009, 11:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Knoxter Administrator/SiteOwner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 430 Real Name: Marc Knox	Thanks Mereck, Your a wealth of resources. No sarcasm intended. __________________ Marc My frogs- Vanzolini, El Dorado (ong&gold), Cayo de Agua, Almerante, Gold Dust, Yuris, Imis, Inters, Taras, O Lamasi, Iquitos Vents, Varis, SI. I appreciate everyone here. Without you, there would be no DFF. Thank you for your support.

06-23-2009, 12:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
atlfrog Site Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ATL, GA, USA Posts: 396 Real Name: Matthew "Merek" Preferred.	None taken. LOL __________________ Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish

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06-21-2009, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
rizz Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4	that was an interesting read thank you for that, always good to learn something new