Today we know Father’s Day as a secular holiday, but its roots began in two community churches almost a century ago. 

It is thought that the very first fatherhood celebration was held on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia.  Grace Golden Clayton is credited with suggesting a special church service dedicated to fathers to her Episcopal minister. 

Although her motive is not entirely known, Grace may have wanted to memorialize the men who died in a terrible mine explosion in a nearby town.  And, she may also have been influenced by the fanfare surrounding Mother’s Day services that had taken place in Grafton, West Virginia – just 15 miles away. 

Another early promoter of a day to honor fathers was Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington.  She thought about a day dedicated to fathers while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909.

Sonora had great respect for her own father who had raised her and  five brothers and sisters after their mother died giving birth to the youngest sibling.  When Sonora reached adulthood, she began to realize the devotion, sacrifice and courage that her father had shown as a single parent. 

Listening to the Mother’s Day speakers made Sonora realize that fathers should have a day set aside to honor them as well.

Local supporters were enthusiastic.  On June 19, 1910, Sonora spearheaded a celebration in Spokane to bring attention to the role and importance of fathers. 

In these early days, wearing flowers was a traditional way of marking Father’s Day.  Evidently, Sonora Dodd favored the red rose to honor a father who was still living and a white rose for a deceased father.

Support began to grow quickly for Father’s Day, and many people began to lobby Congress to declare an annual holiday.  In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signaled his approval of the idea, but it took another nine years for then-President Calvin Coolidge to make it a national event on the third Sunday of June. 

Father’s Day was finally declared an official national holiday by President Richard Nixon in 1972.

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