Father's Day

Father's Day, in the United States, is a holiday celebrated on the third Sunday in June to honor fathers. Credit for originating the holiday is generally given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother's Day, which at the time was becoming established as a holiday. Local religious leaders supported the idea, and the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd's father. In 1924, U.S. Pres. Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that recognized the day. It became a national holiday in 1972, when Pres. Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Although it was originally largely a religious holiday, Father's Day has been commercialized with the sending of greeting cards and the giving of gifts. Some observe the custom of wearing a red rose to indicate that one's father is living or a white rose to indicate that he is deceased. Other males-for example, grandfathers or uncles who have assumed parenting roles-are often also honored on the day. Some Roman Catholics have continued to observe the feast day of St. Joseph, on March 19, as a tribute to fathers.

The June observance of Father's Day marks the birth month of the father of the founder of the holiday. The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910. The holiday was later moved to the third Sunday in June.

Thomas Lincoln, The Father of Abraham Lincoln
(Written by Wilferd A. Peterson, in the Associated Dispatcher)

Like many other people, I had thought Abraham Lincoln's father was a shiftless, unambitious sort of man. I had given Lincoln's mother, and some other mystic influence, chief credit for his greatness.

In the beautiful memorial building in Hodgenville, Kentucky, which shelters the little cabin in which Lincoln was born, is evidence which throws a new light on the father of this great man. I learned these facts:

That Thomas Lincoln was orphaned at six years and grew up homeless in the wild woods of Kentucky.

That at twenty-five he was the possessor of his cabin home and its neighboring acres.

That he built with his own hands five homes, each better than the preceding one.

That he was a good carpenter for the times and had the best set of tools in Washington County.

That he had a cow and a calf, milk and butter, and a good feather bed.

That he had a home-woven "kiverlid" (comforter), big and little pots, a loom and a wheel.

That he was a peaceful, industrious, respected citizen; and honest and contented pioneer.

That he won and held the love and faith of two noble women.

That Abraham Lincoln said of him: "My father insisted that none of his children should suffer for lack of education as he did."

Certainly, there is a picture of a strong man! Of a man who faced and conquered great obstacles. Of a man possessing courage, character, and energy. A man who was, for his time, a success, and who visioned greater and finer things for his children.

Thomas Lincoln, my hat is off to your memory!-