www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 23
Father’s Day Its that time of year where we celebrate that all important male role model in our lives lets hear it for Dads! Sometimes its hard to figure out the perfect way to spoil him on Father’s Day, so hopefully this article will help to inspire you. It’s also about shedding some light on the history behind the special occasion. Father’s Day was created in order to honour fathers, celebrating fatherhood, the influence they had on society and the paternal bonds, as a way to compliment Mother’s Day celebrations. The story behind how Father’s Day began is told in two versions. Some people believe that the first Father’s Day to be recognised was in Fairmont, West Virginia, on the 5th of July, 1908. Supposedly, Grace Golden Clayton proposed to the minister of a local Methodist Church that they should hold a celebration for all of the deceased Fathers, killed in a terrible mine explosion. Another story told recalls a celebration in Washington on the 19th June, 1910. Sonora Smart Dodd decided to honour her Father, after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in Church the year before. She felt it was wrong not to acknowledge a Father’s deserved praise, when Mother’s Day was such a well known celebration. Her Father
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SPECIAL FEATURE Supplied by: Leanna Carl
William was a formidable Civil War veteran, widower and Father of six, who provided her and her siblings with everything they needed after their mother died. She had originally suggested that the anniversary of her Father’s death - the 5th June should be named Father’s Day, however rescheduling and mis-planning led the date to fall on the third Sunday of June. Father’s day was originally only celebrated locally, but was later recognised as a national holiday. It was in 1972 that it became official. Trade groups such as tie manufacturers, tobacconists and other traditional gift makers for men appreciated the occasion for marketing reasons, and still do. As time has gone by, much like Mother’s Day, the occasion has become more commercialised, but has always seemed to dim against Mother’s Day celebrations. Along with