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