Father’s Day is a special occasion where we honor our fathers for the role they play in our lives. It is celebrated every year on the third Sunday in June. The history of Father’s Day dates back to 1910 when Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of a Civil War veteran, founded the holiday to recognize and celebrate fatherhood.
Unlike Mother’s Day, which was established earlier and gained quick popularity, Father’s Day faced some controversy in its early years. Many men saw it as a commercial holiday and did not appreciate the sentimentality associated with gift-giving. There was even a movement in the 1920s and 1930s to combine Mother’s Day and Father’s Day into a single holiday for parents, but it did not succeed.
Despite the initial controversy, Father’s Day continued to be celebrated, and in 1972, President Nixon officially declared it a national holiday to be observed on the third Sunday in June. Today, Father’s Day is an opportunity to show appreciation to the father figures in our lives through acts of kindness, spending time together, and giving gifts.
When celebrating Father’s Day, many people choose to give gifts to their fathers, stepfathers, husbands, sons, brothers, friends, and grandfathers. According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, total spending on Father’s Day gifts is expected to reach $22.4 billion in 2024. Half of consumers plan on buying gifts for their fathers or stepfathers, showing the significance of the holiday.
While Father’s Day may have had a controversial start, it has evolved into a day to express gratitude and love for the fathers in our lives. It is a time to celebrate fatherhood and the important role that fathers play in shaping their children’s lives. So this Father’s Day, take the time to show your appreciation to the father figures in your life and make the day special for them.