The idea of celebrating "Father's Day"
originated in 1909 in Washington, America. Sonora Smart got this idea
while listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She thought of a special day
to honor her father, William Smart.
William Smart was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to
their sixth child. William raised all the six children by himself. When
Sonora grew into an adult, she realized the courage and selflessness
shown by her father. Sonora's father was born in June, so she decided to
celebrate the first Father's Day celebration on 19 June 1910.
President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national
Father's Day. The National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York
City in 1926. A Joint Resolution of Congress recognized the Father's day
in 1956. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential
proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. President
Richard Nixon signed the law, which finally made it permanent in 1972.
