Story Time

1. A SAD START

   1908

   Alright, kids, storytime. Back in 1908, there was a big mining accident in West Virginia. A lot of dads lost their lives, and people held a special service to honor them. That was the first time someone said, “Hey, let's celebrate dads.”

2. The Daddy's Girl Hero

   1910

   Now comes the hero of our story, Sonora Smart Dodd. In 1910, she thought, “Wait a minute, we have Mother's Day, so why not Father's Day?” Her dad raised six kids all by himself. That's like being a one-man army of bedtime stories, snacks, and stern looks. She organized the first Father's Day celebration in Washington state. People loved it.

3. The President Who Said 'Cool'

   1924

   In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge heard about the idea and said, “This sounds like a pretty good idea.” He didn't make it official, but it got a presidential nod. That's like a giant thumbs up from the top.

4. We Finally Get a Date

   1966

   Then in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson gave it a proper date. He picked the third Sunday in June. That's when the grilling began and dads across the country started collecting socks and ties.

5. It's the Real Deal

   1972

   Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon made it official. Father's Day became a real holiday by law. Dads everywhere cheered and probably took a victory nap on the couch.