The idea for a Fathers' Day came from a Mrs. Dodd who wanted a special day to honour her father, William Smart. William Smart was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart brought up the baby and his other five children by himself on a farm in Washington state, U.S.A..
Mrs. Dodd was proud of the strength and selflessness her father had shown in bringing up his family.
The first Fathers' Day was observed on June 19th, 1910 in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across America other people were beginning to celebrate a "fathers' day." In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Fathers' Day.
