| Not many countries of the world celebrate | | | | fought in the Civil War and had raised six children |
| fathers with their own official day. However, that | | | | on his own after his wife had died. |
| is what is done in the United States every third | | | | Mrs. Dodd spoke to her minister and other |
| Sunday in June. Father’s Day is a special | | | | ministers around Spokane to see if they would |
| day for dads when they are pampered by their | | | | have a church service that was solely dedicated |
| children, given gifts, and even surprised with | | | | to fathers. She wished this service to be held on |
| breakfast in bed! | | | | June 5th, her father’s birthday. It was |
| There are many different stories as to the origins | | | | actually scheduled on June 19th however, since a |
| of Father’s Day. Some of the possible | | | | June 5th date was not long enough for her |
| scenarios telling the story of the first | | | | minister to prepare such a service. |
| Father’s Day are: | | | | After that, the whole state of Washington began |
| 1. It started in 1908 during a church service in | | | | celebrating “Father’s Day” on |
| West Virginia. | | | | the third Sunday of June. Children prepared special |
| 2. Vancouver, Washington was where the first | | | | meals and desserts as a treat for dad. If they |
| Father’s Day celebration occurred. | | | | happened to live apart, children would make an |
| 3. Harry Meek, president of the Lions’ Club | | | | effort to visit. |
| branch in Chicago, created the first | | | | Other states and organizations now wanted an |
| Father’s Day with his organization. It was | | | | annual Father’s Day for the whole country. |
| celebrated in 1915 on the third Sunday of June, | | | | They began lobbying Congress to declare such a |
| since that was a date very close to his birthday. | | | | holiday. The idea of a “Father’s |
| Even though we don’t know exactly when | | | | Day” was approved by President |
| the first Father’s Day was celebrated, we | | | | Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but it was not official |
| do know who promoted this holiday with a great | | | | until President Calvin Coolidge made it a national |
| passion. Mrs. John B. Dodd, who resided in | | | | event in 1924. |
| Spokane Washington, felt that her father was | | | | Now, we celebrate Father’s Day every |
| outstanding and deserved to be honored. He had | | | | third Sunday in June! |