100 Years of Father’s Day

Father! – to God himself we cannot give a holier name.
~William Wordsworth

A time to honour paternal bonds and fatherhood, Father’s Day now includes all father figures, such as uncles, big brothers, fathers-in-law and step-dads. While ‘honouring thy father’ has been a part of every culture around the globe, the modern Father’s Day owes its origin to the efforts of one Sonora Smart of Washington. Her father, William Smart raised six children as a single parent and Sonora wanted there to be a special day dedicated to fathers like hers.

The first celebration took place on William Smart’s birthday, 19th June 1910 at a small church in Spokane. The congregants wore roses on their lapels—red roses to honour living fathers and white in remembrance of those who had passed away, a tradition which has continue since. Today, father’s day is a time for family outings, barbecues, picnics and presents and is celebrated with enthusiasm around the world. This year, Father’s Day falls on 20th June, so remember to do something wonderful and make your dad’s day!