History of Father's Day Festival
as seen today is not even a hundred years old. Thanks to the hard work and
struggle of Ms Sonora Louise Smart Dodd of Washington that just as we have set
aside Mother's Day to honor mothers we have a day to acknowledge the important
role played by the father. However, some scholars opine that Father's Day
history is much older than we actually believe it to be. They say that the
custom of honoring dad's on a special day is over 4,000 years old. There are a
few more claims about the Father's Day origin about which we will learn in this
page.
Earliest History of Father's Day
Scholars believe that the origin
of Father's Day is not a latest phenomenon, as many believe it to be. Rather
they claim that the tradition of Father's Day can be traced in the ruins of
Babylon. They have recorded that a young boy called Elmesu carved a Father's
Day message on a card made out of clay nearly 4,000 years ago. Elmesu wished
his Babylonian father good health and a long life. Though there is no record of
what happened to Elmesu and his father but the tradition of celebrating
Father's Day remained in several countries all over the world.
Other Theories of Father’s Day Origin
There are several theories behind
the origination of Father's Day. Some believe that the first
Father’s Day church service was held in West Virginia in 1908. Others opine that the ceremony
was first held in Vancouver, Washington.
The president of Lions' Club,
Chicago, Harry Meek is said to have celebrated the first Father's Day with his
organization in 1915 to stress on the need to honor fathers. He selected third
Sunday in June for celebration, the closest date to Meek's own birthday. In
appreciation for Meek's work, the Lions Clubs of America presented him with a
gold watch, with the inscription "Originator of Father's Day," on his
birthday, June 20, 1920. Some historians honor Mrs.
Charles Clayton of West Virginia, as the Founder of Father's Day.
In 1957, Senator Margaret Chase
Smith wrote Congress that, "Either we honor both our parents, mother and
father, or let us desist from honoring either one. But to single out just one
of our two parents and omit the other is the most grievous insult
imaginable."
In countries where Catholic
Church holds greater influence Father's Day is celebrated on St. Joseph's Day
(March 19).
Present Day Celebrations
Father's Day Festival has gained
amazing popularity over the years. The festival is considered to be a secular
one and is celebrated not just in US but in a large number of countries around
the world including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany,
Japan, New Zealand, Norway and India though on different dates. World over
people take Father's Day as an opportunity to thank father and pay tribute to
them. On this day children present Father's Day cards not just to their dads
but also grandfathers, uncles, stepfathers or any other person who commands the
position of a father in their life. There is also a trend to present Father's
Day gift to dad, most popular of all being necktie. Other popular gift being
roses, the official Father's Day flower. Many people rue that the trend of
presenting gifts to fathers has led to over commercialization of the festival
relegating the noble idea behind Father's Day celebration.
