The Surprisingly Touching Tradition Behind Father’s Day Ah, Father’s Day. That magical time of year when dads across the country get an exciting gift they didn’t ask for, usually in the shape of a novelty mug or a suspiciously thick pair of socks. What my Dad wants is a new Porsche. What he’s going to get is a Kneepal-kneeler. Father’s Day. It’s a day when burnt toast and lukewarm tea are lovingly delivered in bed, and everyone pretends not to see Dad quietly eyeing the football scores on his phone. But where did this glorious celebration of dad jokes, BBQs, and bad aftershave come from? Let’s take a break from panic-buying a card from the supermarket and dig into the surprisingly rich (and slightly chaotic) history of Father’s Day. A Daughter, a War Vet, and a Brilliant Idea Contrary to popular belief, Father’s Day wasn’t invented by a greetings card company—although they’ve definitely made the most of it. The modern version of the day traces back to the United States in the early 1900s, when a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd decided that fathers deserved a day of recognition too. Sonora’s dad, William Jackson Smart, was a single father who raised six children on his own after his wife passed away. Basically, he was an early 1900s version of a superdad, minus the matching T-shirt. Inspired by the newly established Mother’s Day, Sonora pushed for a similar day for fathers—and in 1910, the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington. The idea caught on very slowly—probably because fathers everywhere were too modest (or too distracted fixing something in the shed) to make a fuss. But eventually, in 1972, Father’s Day became an official holiday in the U.S. under President Nixon. Only 62 years late. No rush, lads. How the
