Happy Father's Day

You could call Sonora Smart Dodd the "Mother of Father's Day." After all, the holiday, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, was inspired by her.


Dodd's mother died in 1898 during childbirth, leaving her father, William Jackson Smart, to raise Dodd and her five younger brothers (including the newborn baby) on a remote farm near Spokane, Wash. While attending a Mother's Day sermon in 1909, Dodd decided that fathers deserve the same recognition.

Within a year, she -- along with some help from her pastor, the Rev. Conrad Bluhm, the Spokane YMCA and the Ministerial Alliance -- did it: June 19, 1910, was designated as the first Father's Day. Throughout Spokane that day, Sunday sermons were themed around the importance of fatherhood.




By 1924, the holiday had gained some national prominence. President Calvin Coolidge that year recognized Father's Day and made it known that he wanted more states to get involved.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed an order proclaiming the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. He even requested that flags on all government buildings be flown that day.  In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation permanently observing Father's Day on the third Sunday in June. All because of a young girl who appreciated her dad's love and wanted to see his efforts acknowledged. William Jackson Smart died in 1919, so he got to celebrate 10 Father's Days with his grateful daughter.*


To all the fathers, grandfathers, and step-fathers... wishing you the most wonderful day spent with those you love and who love you.  Please also remember the fathers who are away from their families serving our country here and abroad and pray that they are able to return home soon.

To my darling husband, the most wonderful man in the world... Thank you so much for being such a terrific dad to not only your own children, but to mine as well.  We all love you so much and are so glad that you came into our lives 14 years ago.

Until next time..... Lorie

{*Information from Aol News}