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Learn the Real Story Behind Father’s Day and Make This Year’s Celebration More Meaningful

Father’s Day is on the way.

While your thoughts may turn to cookouts and cringe-worthy neckties, the original celebration was a little more meaningful.

Of course, there’s no reason you can’t create a day for dear old dad that’s a combination of honoring a special man and showering him with special gifts.

Here’s what you may not have known about the history of Father’s Day.

Father’s Day in the U.S.

Father’s Day is attributed to the appreciative hearts of two special women on opposite sides of the country.

Sonora Smart Dodd

The first account is that the first celebration for dads was held in Washington state, on June 19, 1910.

Sonora Smart Dodd is credited with coming up with the idea to pay special tribute to fathers while she was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon at church.

She felt that fathers were just as deserving of a day in their honor.

Her affection for her own dad was the driving force behind her campaign.

Sonora’s father, William Smart, fought in the Civil War and raised six children on his own after losing his wife during childbirth.

To show her great appreciation for the love her father gave to her and her siblings, Sonora decided to create a day of homage to him and other hard-working fathers like him.

She initially planned for the day to fall on June 5, the day William passed away, but the date ended up being designated as the third Sunday of each June.

Grace Golden Clayton

The second story of Father’s Day beginnings took place nearly as far as you can get from Washington state – Fairmont, West Virginia.

Grace Golden Clayton was the impetus for a celebration in her town.

After a horrible mine explosion killed 361 men in her community, Grace suggested a celebration honoring fathers to her local minister.

It took place for the first time in West Virginia on July 5, 1908.

Becoming a national holiday

Soon after Grace and Sonora organized celebrations in their communities, the word spread and support grew for making Father’s Day a national holiday.

William Jennings Bryan – a noted politician – was one of the earliest proponents.

Then, in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that Father’s Day become a national holiday, but it wasn’t officially recognized until 1972, during President Nixon’s administration.

Give gifts and keep the spirit of the day

For most people, Father’s Day doesn’t hold the same importance that it did for Sonora Dodd or Grace Clayton.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to show the father in your life some love AND give him a gift he’ll adore.

Most dads put the things they would enjoy on the backburner to meet everyone else’s needs.

Dads are always busy. Items stack up on their “Honey-Do” lists at a steady pace.

Why not take one of those jobs off his hands for him and give him the gift of a remodeled kitchen or bathroom?

Show him how much he means and give him the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.

If you’re ready to spoil dad this Father’s Day, get in touch with a trusted contractor and start planning a way to knock his socks off.

For help remodeling your home, contact your local experts VKB Kitchen and Bath.