Gentlemen.. Start.. Your.. Father’s Day!

What is the meaning of Father’s Day? Is it really about giving gag gifts or ugly ties? Maybe you think it’s about taking the time to thank your father for what sacrifices he has made in life and the tools he has given you growing up to help you succeed? Either way, whether you’re playing pranks, or giving thanks to that special dad in your life, let’s see how this all got started.

Father’s Day is not celebrated around the world. The U.S. is only one out of a small handful of places that actually recognize or celebrate it. Father’s Day falls on the second or third Sunday in June. You can dig through history and the origin of its birth can’t be confirmed, nor denied. It is said that in 1909, during a sermon about Mother’s Day, a Spokane, Washington woman named Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd conceived the idea. Some people claim that it was created the same time as Mother’s Day, but again, this can’t be confirmed, nor denied. Mother’s Day was the idea of Anna Jarvis, to pay tribute to her mother. Sonora Dodd wanted to do the same thing in honor of her father, who was a Civil War hero and had sacrificed many years as a single father after losing his wife as she gave birth to his sixth child. He was left to raise the children by himself on a farm in eastern Washington. Sonora described her father as courageous and selfless.

The first official date for Father’s Day was actually June 5th cause that was her father’s birthday. That day would never come to pass because the pastor had advised her that date was too soon to prepare a sermon appropriate enough for the occasion. It was two weeks later on the 19th that the official 1st Father’s Day took place. During this day, people celebrated with their children, making things and spending time with their fathers.

Father’s Day will fall on June 15th this year. If you wives have no idea what to get him, try this. Let the kids make him something that morning. Maybe even treat the fellow to breakfast in bed. Now, the day before, make sure the kitchen is fully stocked with refreshments and snacks. Plan to take the kids to the movies and arcade around the time that the LifeLock 400 starts from Michigan. Make sure that the remote control has fresh batteries (very necessary to let the poor guy surf during the 1,000 commercials). Don’t give him a hard time when he wants to invite his friends over to partake in viewing the race (even that one you can’t stand), keep in mind, it’s his day. You will earn a win, by giving in. Remember, he might just remember this when Mother’s Day rolls back around.