Father’s Day History

In 1972, President Richard Nixon officially established Father’s Day as the third Sunday in June.  The idea of Father’s Day in the United States actually came from a woman from Spokane, Washington; Sonora Smart Dodd.  Her proposal for a day to honor Father’s started in 1910.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson and his family observed Father’s Day, even though it was still a new idea.  In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that states should hold their own Father’s Day observances.  He wrote, “The widespread observance of this occasion is calculated to establish more intimate relationships between fathers and their children, and also to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.”  Interesting that even way back then he saw both the chance to celebrate and strengthen fatherhood and to encourage fathers to do their job well.  That’s what Dadsworld.com is all about! 

Americans are expected to spend just over $11 billion on gifts for Father’s Day 2008.  That’s about $7 billion less than they spend on Mother’s Day.  That means Americans will spend about $27.60 each on gifts for Dad. 

Have you got your Dadworld.com t-shirt yet?  At only $24.95 you will have an excellent gift (a nice little to-me from-me gift) and you will have saved $2.65 over the national average! 

Mrs. Dodd suggested the idea of Father’s Day because she thought the nation didn’t show enough respect for Dads.  She promoted Father’s Day out of love for her own father, a hard working farmer.  She died in 1978 at the age of 96.

Be sure to let your Dad know how much he is loved and appreciated this Father’s Day.  And if you are a Dad, wear that badge proudly! 

Tags: calvin coolidge, dad, dadsworld, father, fathers day, mothers day, president, richard nixon, sonora smart dodd, spokane, united states, washington, woodrow wilson