I had no inkling whatsoever that an occasion like Father’s Day dated way back into the 1930s (1908 to be more precise). Or that it was originally all about selling more and more new ties. Or that it eventually came into being thanks to a group of young New York businessmen who were simply looking for a way to make more money.
Wait, let me elaborate.
The world had been gleefully celebrating Mother’s Day from even before the 1800s. Noticing the popularity of a special day meant to honor moms the world over, an enterprising young lady called Grace Clayton came to the apt conclusion: Why should fathers be far behind, when they have as meaningful a contribution (well, almost!) as the mothers in bringing up their children? And hence, West Virginia witnessed the very first celebration of Father’s Day on July 5, 1908.
Before this could fizzle out, along came another young lady by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd, who saw great entrepreneurial potential in this idea and set about convincing businessmen - how they could profit from the sales of ‘manly’ goods like ties and tobacco pies, should such a day officially come into being. And lo and behold, one thing followed another till in 1972, President Richard Nixon himself signed it into law and made Father’s Day henceforth an official holiday!
Like I said, all for the sake of selling more and more new ties; that’s where it began.
Well, my kids made a handmade card each for their dad and presented it to him with a flourish at the start of the day to make him feel special. And I called up my own dad and spoke to him for a longer time than I generally do (as always, my fault). The day ended on a good note. Sans any ties though.
Happy Father’s Day!
Wait, let me elaborate.
The world had been gleefully celebrating Mother’s Day from even before the 1800s. Noticing the popularity of a special day meant to honor moms the world over, an enterprising young lady called Grace Clayton came to the apt conclusion: Why should fathers be far behind, when they have as meaningful a contribution (well, almost!) as the mothers in bringing up their children? And hence, West Virginia witnessed the very first celebration of Father’s Day on July 5, 1908.
Before this could fizzle out, along came another young lady by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd, who saw great entrepreneurial potential in this idea and set about convincing businessmen - how they could profit from the sales of ‘manly’ goods like ties and tobacco pies, should such a day officially come into being. And lo and behold, one thing followed another till in 1972, President Richard Nixon himself signed it into law and made Father’s Day henceforth an official holiday!
Like I said, all for the sake of selling more and more new ties; that’s where it began.
Well, my kids made a handmade card each for their dad and presented it to him with a flourish at the start of the day to make him feel special. And I called up my own dad and spoke to him for a longer time than I generally do (as always, my fault). The day ended on a good note. Sans any ties though.
Happy Father’s Day!