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You can't believe everything you read, and the "history" of Father's Day is a good example. We decided to do a little research. We didn't
get into it the way Dan Boorstin or Barb Tuchman would have, but we checked a few newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias and some popular web sites. Here's what we found. The basic story, widely repeated in various forms, is this:
"While listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, conceived the idea of Father's Day. She and her 5 brothers and sisters had been raised by their father, Henry Jackson
Smart. To honor him, she proposed his birthday as a national day of recognition -- June 19th. In 19[xx], President [xx] designated the third Sunday in June as a national observance of Father's Day."
Now, depending on where you get this "information," you'll be told that the president who took this bold action was Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Lyndon Johnson or Richard Nixon. Some
sources tell you it happened in 1916, some say 1924, some say 1966, some say 1972. Confused? We were, too. And it gets worse. All sources agree that it was Sonora Dodd's idea (except Sen. Robert
Byrd, who insists in a florid 1998 Senate speech that West Virginia had the idea first). All sources agree that the idea occurred to Mrs. Dodd in 1909. Most add that it happened "as she listened to a Mother's Day sermon."
But Mother's Day DIDN'T EXIST in 1909! It didn't come along until 1914! Not that any of this matters much, but since you've read this far, here are the facts we've been able to assemble:
- In 1910, Sonora Smart Dodd started writing letters in support of a national Father's Day observance.
- In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proposed that Father's Day be proclaimed as a national day of observance.
- In 1924, President Calvin Collidge endorsed the same idea.
- In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City.
- In 1956, Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress.
- In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.
- In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June.
Doesn't it warm your heart to know all those presidents would stake their political reputations on such a controversial idea? Must have put lumps in the throats of tie merchants and greeting card publishers everywhere. Probably
helped sell a few million tacky postcards, too. |
