The Story Behind Father's Day

Holiday founded at a YMCA to honor father of six motherless children

On June 17, 2007 when millions of fathers enjoy gifts and cards nationwide, most of them will be unaware that, in addition to their children, they also owe special thanks to Sonora Louise Smart the founder of Father's Day.

Eighty-nine years ago at a YMCA in Spokane, Wash., this dedicated daughter honored her father by calling for an annual Father's Day. The inspiration for Father's Day struck Sonora in 1909, while listening to a sermon celebrating Mother's Day. She thought of her father, a Civil War veteran, who had raised her and five brothers after their mother died in childbirth. Sonora shared her idea with local Protestant ministers at the Spokane YMCA who passed a resolution to observe a Father's Day.

The Spokane YMCA sponsored the first celebration on June 19, 1910. June was her father's birth month. Ms. Smart suggested honoring fathers through religious services, special meals, small gifts and wearing roses. The Father's Day idea spread rapidly, and in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended a national observance.

"Being a father in 2005 comes with a much different job description than in Sonora's day," said Barbara Taylor, Associate Director for Child Care and Family Programs for the YMCA of the USA. "Fathers are earning this day of recognition more than ever before. At the YMCA we've seen fathers take a much more active role in raising their children joining family activity nights, volunteering with their kids, arranging child care and participating in one-on-one programs. Fathers deserve a pat on the back and, of course, all the support community organizations like YMCAs can give them to make their job easier and more enjoyable."

Sonora Louise Smart Dodd died at the age of 96 but her legacy lives on. A monument to Sonora's holiday stands at the Spokane YMCA where today thousands of fathers and their children enjoy a wide range of family programs.

.
.

News Items About Fathers and Fathers Day:

WFMU: Old Codger's Almanac for October 5, 2006
On this day, Dianne Linkletter jumped out of a perfectly good apartment -- to death (1969). Her father Art famously claimed that she was under the influence of LSD at the time.
Baby Portraits ? An Oil Painting From Your Photos
Forget the tie this Father?s Day; oil painting portraits of children is a Father?s Day gift that is sure to be unexpected. A custom-created oil painting can be commissioned from a professional using ... [Author: Allan Holder - Family - October 30, 2006]
Enjoy Father's Day Weekend at the Thrill Zone
Family Fun Days at Bromley are back this weekend. June 13, 2006 MANCHESTER CENTER, VT - - This weekend only, June 17th & 18th, Morning Adventure Passes are just $12! All-Day Adventure Passes can be had for the ...Comment
Sunday 3 September 2006: Cygnet-1 (Warrawee)
Found it: A Father's Day walk with the kids and dog. Great container - took duck fridge magnet and torch, left two gear hooks. Thanks.
The Cursed, Blessed, and Judged Man
Today's Message was recorded on Father's Day, 2006, and is aptly directed to men. Pastor Baker explores the characteristics of a godly man, and the dangers of following the world's definition of manhood.

Your Best Fathers Day Resources:

1. Cool Running :: Rockport's Father's Day 10K Race for Wellspring Race Results
... > Printer-friendly page Rockport's Father's Day 10K Race for Wellspring Rockport, MA, June ... ... for the Bradford Valentine Race - February 11th 2006 PLACE NAME NO. PLC/TOT DIV TOWN ST FIN10K PACE ...
http://www.coolrunning.co ...0_Rockpo_1_set1.shtml

2. Fathers Day
... com Suggestions father day father day gift father day poem father day card father s day father day gift basket father s day gift father day 2006 father day gift idea day father gift perfect s All ...
http://www.gopik.com/Holidays/Fathers_Day/

3. Brand New Dad - New Parents Shop
... Add to Wishlist Flower Patch Pastel Pink Baby Shoes Add to Wishlist 7 months 15 days until Father's Day 2006... info@brandnewdad.com | Add to Favorites | Moms - Tell Your Partner About Brand New Dad ...
http://www.brandnewdad.com/shopping/

4. Events
... Click on CAR SHOW below to see some results and photos "CLASSICS AGAINST CANCER CAR SHOW" 19th Annual Show coming on Father's Day 2006 This event keeps growing year by year and attracts car buffs ...
http://www.cancerassistance.org/events.htm

5. Timbeaux's on the Square
... Make a Reservation Father s Day 2006 Watch this page for next year's Father's Day Lunch menu and more information. But it's never too early to make a reservation, so reserve your spot today! Home ...
http://www.timbeauxs.com/ ...ns/fathersday2006.php

6. Scout.com: Give Your Cougar Dad the Perfect FatherÄôs Day Gift
... further than Total Blue Sports. This FatherÄôs Day, donÄôt get dad another tie. Give the gift that ... ... magazines including: - 2005 football preview - 2006 Total Blue Sports Football Recruiting ...
http://byu.scout.com/2/387762.html

7. Father Day Trivia - Selected Resources For Father Day Trivia
... Starware also provides related listings for father day trivia Buy Below Wholesale. As low as a ... ... Selected Readings Guinness World Records 2006 (Guinness World Records) A Short History of ...
http://www.triviatidbit.net/father-day-trivia.php

8. Sharper Image hopes Father's Day will slow sales slump - San Francisco Business Times:
... Sharper Image hopes Father's Day will slow sales slump - San ... com Search Engine Optimization by © 2006 American City Business Journals, Inc ...
http://sanfrancisco.bizjo ...06/05/29/daily28.html

9. Mr. B's Bistro : Special Events
... May 24th, 2006 New Orleans Wine and Food Experience Vintner Dinner Sunday, Jun 18th, 2006 Father's Day Tuesday, Jul 4th, 2006 Independence Day Copyright©2005 Mr. B's Bistro Website design by ...
http://www.mrbsbistro.com/events.php

10. Father's Day Gift Ideas
Fathers Day Gift Ideas and Coupons FromDebbiesKitchen.com Sunday June 2006 Coupons For Men Main Menu Fast Surfing Shopper Give the gift of booksÖso many beautifully illustrated books on every ...
http://www.fromdebbieskitchen.com/FathersDay.htm

11. Mother's Day - mother and father day gift
... Gift Wrapping Windchime Gifts, Mother's Day, Father' s Day, Birthday, Gift Wrapped Gifts ... ... Card Toddler Mother Day Crafts When Is Mother Day In 2006 When Is Mother Day In Canada Legal Rights ...
http://www.mothersdayrc.c ...therandfatherdaygift/

12. <font color=#0033FF>Father's Day</font>
... Publications & Research Search Buy office supplies on-line and support BTA Father's Day When: Sunday, June 18, 2006 Back to Calendar Home | Back to Top Questions and comments? Contact BTA at info ...
http://www.bta.org/public ...ar/details.cfm?id=197

13. Events - 2002
... Jun. 18, 2006 Father's Day Jun. 21, 2006 7:00 p.m. MBA Board Meeting Sport Manitoba Jun. 24, 2006 1:00 p.m. M5PBA Annual General Meeting Sport Manitoba - Rm. 229 Jun. 25, 2006 9:00 p.m. M5PBA Annual ...
http://www.mfpbf.org/Events.htm

14. Father's Day gift ideas from The Unique Gift Idea Directory
The Unique Gift Idea Directory 2005 Holiday Dates 2006 Holiday Dates Unique gifts /Father's Day About The Father's Day Category: Daddy, dad, pops, it all means the same, father. Celebrate your father ...
http://www.tugid.com/fathers_day/fathers_day.html

15.
... Books Harry Potter SpongeBob Lemony Snicket 2006 TFK Almanac Reference Desk Atlas Almanacs ... ... Dictionary Encyclopedia FunBrain Site Map Father's Day Fanfare Histories, stories, and fun facts ...
http://www.factmonster.co ...t/fathersdaylist.html

16. Free Holiday Ideas » Father's Day Ideas
... Stories Thanksgiving Ideas Valentines Day Ideas Mothers Day Ideas Fathers Day Ideas Holiday Recipes Vacation Articles Pages 2006 Holiday Calendar Christmas Shopping 2005 Disclaimer Holiday Links ...
http://free-holiday-ideas ...ry/fathers-day-ideas/

17. Seattle Men in Leather Newsletter
... Week) Daddys Leather Tag Sale May 20, 2006 (Armed Forces Day) Boots n Buzzcuts June 18, 2006 (Fathers Day) Fathers Day Chili Feed July, 2006 (date tentative) Equinox VII Leathermens Weekend SML ...
http://www.seattlemeninle ...ers/online/events.asp

18. Father's Day Council - Phoenix, AZ - American Diabetes Association
... The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa-Phoenix/Scottsdale 6902 East Greenway Parkway Scottsdale, AZ 85254 The 2006 Phoenix Father's Day Council members are working hard to organize next year's event. View ...
http://www.diabetes.org/c ...ents/FOTY/phoenix.jsp

19. Gift Baskets Canada|Christmas Gift Baskets Canada|Gift Baskets Toronto|Gift ...
... Ontario Christmas Gift Baskets Download 2005-2006 Everyday Catalog Download Christmas 2005 ... ... Exec. Assistant's Day] [ Mother's Day Gifts] [ Father's Day Gifts] [ How to Order] [ Our ...
http://www.boodlesofbaskets.com/

20. a father day story Resources
... 8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] >> A Father Day Story World News Directory Links American ... ... Biography King Luther Martin Card Day E Earth Chinese New Year 2006 Cinco De Does Mayo Mean What ...
http://www.patriotic-amer ...father-day-story.html

21. Availability for 2006
... Fr June 18, 2006 1 home available (45) available Sa June 19 available available Su June 20, 2006 Father's Day available Father's Day available Father's Day All Rates These are our 4 houses ...
http://www.vineyardvacationhomes.com/avail.html

22. Father's Day Gifts
... Christmas Valentine's Easter Mother's Day Father's Day Fourth of July Specialties Patriotic Sweets ... ... goodies to This site offers secure digital encryption. © 2003-2006 OCbaskets.com, All Rights Reserved.
http://www.ocbaskets.com/fatherday.htm

23. Savannah Candy Kitchen handmade candies southern candy gifts corporate gift ...
... 18, 2005 Valentine's Day - February 8, 2006 Easter - April 10, 2006 Mother's Day - May 8, 2006 Father's Day - June 10, 2006 We can still deliver Holiday orders after these dates. However, expedited ...
http://www.savannahcandy.com/ShowView/how_to_order

24. "Father's Day Gifts and Gift Baskets in South Florida"
... Resource Shopping Links Refund - Shipping policy statement Gift Reminder Service Father's Day See You In June 2006 *We reserve the right to substitute a similar item of equal or greater value ...
http://www.joycesbaskets.com/Father's Day.htm

25. What's Happening - Historic Okeefe Ranch
... Mom's are admitted FREE accompanied by their kids June Sun, Jun 18, 2006 Father's Day at the Ranch Celebrate with Dad at the ranch! Dads accompanied by their kids are admitted FREE on Father's Day ...
http://www.okeeferanch.bc.ca/news.php

26. Worship Services
... Back to Top Baptisms Baptisms are scheduled for: November 27, 2005 December 18, 2005 February 5, 2006 March 26, 2006 May 14, 2006 (Mother's Day) June 18, 2006 (Father's Day) July 16, 2006 August 20 ...
http://www.upc.org/page.asp?id=13

27. Father's Day 2006 - When Is Father's Day - Fathers Day Date 2006 - Father's ...
... In the year 2006, Father's Day will be celebrated on June 18th. Fathers Day ª Father's Day 2005 Father's Day 2006 The Father's Day is celebrated to honor our fathers for everything they do for us ...
http://www.loveyoufather. ...n-is-fathers-day.html

28. New Year's Day Jan 1, 2006 - The Stationery Studio
... & Administrative Professional's Day April 26, 2006 Nurses Day May 4, 2006 Mother's Day May 14, 2006 Father's Day Jun 18, 2006 Graduations Grown Up Gifts Children's Gifts Baby Gifts Anniversaries ...
http://www.thestationerys ...stProducts&catId=1099

29. Father's Day - A Holiday Page with Info, Inspiration, Poems, Humor & More
... Wedding)] [ Birthdays] [ Christmas] [ Easter] [ Father's Day ] [ Flag Day] [ Halloween ... ... Valentine's Day] [ Veteran's Day] [ Holiday Calendar for 2005, 2006 & 2007] [ January] [ February ...
http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/fathersday.htm

30. Dining Trains
... June 2006 Pie and Pea Supper Wednesday 14th June 2006 Cream/Afternoon Tea Sunday 18th June 2006 Father's Day Sunday Lunch Sunday 25th June 2006 Sunday Lunch Wednesday 28th June 2006 Cream/Afternoon ...
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/dining.htm

31. Anjelica's Boudoir
... Patrick's Day March 17, 2006 Easter April 16, 2006 Administrative Professionals' Week April 23-29, 2006 Mother's Day May 14, 2006 Father's Day June 18, 2006 Independence Day July 4, 2006 Friendship ...
http://www.anjelicasboudo ...s/holiday/holiday.htm