Over the years, Eastern Washington has made immeasurable contributions to American culture and society — such as Granny Smith apples and Bing Crosby. But because neither of those wonders are native to Eastern Washington, we come today to focus upon something that originated organically on the other side of the Cascades and made a lasting impact upon the United States.
Yes, the American version of Father’s Day — which we celebrate today — has roots firmly established in Spokane, where it was conceived more than a century ago. And so we have Sonora Dodd to thank for the multitude of reasons we use today for hosting a barbecue or taking in a ballgame or simply letting Dad lounge on the couch watching golf.
In 1909, the story goes, Dodd came up with the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon. Her father, William Smart, was a widowed Civil War veteran who raised six children while working his farm, and Dodd believed that deserved some recognition. The first Father’s Day was proclaimed by the mayor of Spokane on June 19, 1910, with the month selected because Smart’s birthday was in June.
The idea spread and became a popular occasion for honoring fathers, but it was not formally established in the United States until 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation recognizing the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.
Hallmark reports that Father’s Day ranks No. 4 in terms of greeting card purchases, and we are guessing that it ranks even higher in terms of selling golf clubs and hammers and ties. But the commercial benefits of the day are not the reason we celebrate. What is more important is the role fathers play in raising productive and conscientious citizens. That goes beyond biological ties to include stepfathers, mentors and anybody who serves as a positive role model for a child. As ancient poet George Herbert reputedly said, “One father is worth more than a hundred schoolmasters.”
The role of fathers has changed dramatically in recent decades, with men taking more active roles in child rearing. In 2016, according to the Pew Research Center, American fathers reported spending an average of eight hours a week on child care — more than triple the amount in 1965. A majority also report difficulty in balancing work and family duties. Research also found that parents — both fathers and mothers — report spending more time with their children than their parents spent with them.
And still, it is natural for fathers to question their ability as parents. As humorist Dave Barry once wrote: “I’ve never been totally sold on the concept of Father’s Day. For one thing, it was officially declared a national holiday by Richard Nixon, so it might not even be legal. But my main problem is that I’m not sure we fathers deserve it. I believe — at the risk of being arrested by the Gender Neutrality Police — the fathers in general do not have the same level of parenting skills as mothers.”
Such insecurity is understandable, and yet we come together to reassure fathers everywhere that their parenting skills are much appreciated. As often has been said, any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.
That truth rests at the core of what Sonora Dodd recognized a century ago, and it remains at the core of all that fathers do for us.
Happy Father’s Day.
