Father's Day History

The first Father's Day celebration was observed in Washington State. In 1909, Louise Smart Dodd, the daughter of Civil War veteran William Smart, proposed a day to honor fathers around the country. Her inspiration was her own father who had raised his six children after his wife died during childbirth. By 1916, the idea had spread across the country, and was even promoted by president Woodrow Wilson.

It wasn't until 1966, though, that president Lyndon Johnson proclaimed the third Sunday of every June as the official Father's Day. Today, Father's Day is celebrated in a number of countries around the world.