What is the origin of Father’s Day?

The origin of Father’s Day comes from Sonora Smart Dodd’s efforts to honor her father in 1910. After listening to a Mother’s Day sermon, Sonora realized that fathers also deserve recognition. Her father, William Jackson Smart, raised his children alone after his wife’s death, inspiring Sonora to suggest the idea to local churches and authorities.

With support from local churches, the YMCA, and government officials, the first official Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910. Though it took many years to gain national recognition, the origin of Father’s Day remains rooted in the desire to honor the role of fathers in raising children and building strong families.