Father’s Day

A Brief History of Dad’s Day (and Why I Appreciate It More Now)

Father’s Day.

A moment to honour dads everywhere with the holy trinity of mass-produced cards, novelty socks, and burnt breakfast in bed. But behind the commercial clichés is a surprisingly deep history – one that spans mining disasters, presidential proclamations, and a very determined daughter.

Let’s rewind and find out where it all began…

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How Father’s Day Came to Be

While the origins of Mother’s Day tend to get more air time, Father’s Day came about through equally emotional – and arguably more overlooked – circumstances.

A Tragic Start

In July 1908, a small town in West Virginia held what’s believed to be the first Father’s Day service. It was a memorial for the 362 men who had died in a mining explosion the year before. Many were fathers, and the event was led by Grace Golden Clayton, who wanted to pay tribute to the lives lost and support their children and families.

But the event didn’t catch on nationally – partly because it was overshadowed by other events at the time, like a July 4th celebration and a freakishly big parade.

The Daughter Who Wouldn’t Give Up

The real driving force behind making Father’s Day a national holiday was Sonora Smart Dodd, from Spokane, Washington. Inspired by Mother’s Day and proud of her Civil War veteran father who raised six children single-handedly, she thought it was time dads got their due.

In 1910, she lobbied local churches, shopkeepers and government officials to set aside a day to honour fathers. The result? The first official Father’s Day celebration took place on June 19th, 1910 in Spokane – a Sunday chosen because, well, that’s when people were already gathered in churches. Smart move.

From there, the idea spread slowly. Retailers and manufacturers – smelling a new sales opportunity – began pushing it commercially in the 1930s. Cards, ties, razors, and good old-fashioned tools became the go-to gifts. The marketing machine had begun to rev up.

Why Did It Take So Long to Be Official?

Despite growing popularity, Father’s Day wasn’t declared a national holiday in the US until 1972. President Richard Nixon made it official – though some say that decision had more to do with distracting from political scandals than a love of cufflinks.

There was even pushback early on. Critics argued that turning Father’s Day into a commercial holiday undermined its sincerity

Sound familiar?

That debate still simmers today – particularly when brands splash rainbows or tributes across June (as covered in my articles about pride month), only to fall silent the moment the calendar ticks into July.

The Global View: It’s Not Always June

Unlike Christmas or Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day isn’t a universal date.

  • In the UK, we follow the American date: the third Sunday in June.

  • In Spain, it’s tied to St Joseph’s Day (March 19th), the patron saint of fathers.

  • In Australia and New Zealand, it lands in September, presumably to space it out from Mother’s Day – or maybe just to confuse us.

It’s one of those holidays where tradition, religion, and retail all swirl together into a semi-cohesive celebration of… Dadness.

Father’s Day in the Marketing World

It’s no surprise Father’s Day now plays a role in the annual retail calendar. In the UK, it’s not quite the sales driver Mother’s Day is — but it still brings a healthy spike in spending. According to the ONS, Brits spent £951 million on Father’s Day in 2023 – up from £799 million the year before.

What are the top categories of products for Fathers Day?

  • Cards
  • Clothes
  • Grooming products
  • Food
  • Drink
  • Electronics

You know, the standard “what do dads like?” checklist that someone in a boardroom somewhere still thinks is revolutionary.

But in truth, the most appreciated gifts tend to be the simple, personal ones. A handmade card, a family meal, a lie-in past 8am – or the elusive combination of all three.

A Personal Note: My First Father’s Day as a Dad of Two

This year will be my first Father’s Day as a father of two.

And you know what?

It feels a little different.

When I became a dad for the first time, it was life-changing. But now, with two little ones in the mix, I find myself thinking more deeply about what these sorts of “days” really mean. Not just for me, but for my kids – and for the dads out there who don’t always get a spotlight.

Father’s Day has gone from being a date in the diary (to remember to get my dad something) – into a reminder that parenthood is often quiet, relentless, and profoundly meaningful. It’s not about socks, and it’s not about performative gestures. It’s about being recognised – just a little – for the emotional load, the silly voices at bedtime, and the sheer volume of crumbs we step on daily.

TL;DR

  • Father’s Day began in the early 1900s, partly in response to a mining disaster and a determined daughter’s wish to honour her single dad.

  • The first official celebration was in Spokane, Washington in 1910.

  • It became a US national holiday in 1972, after years of slow uptake and some resistance to commercialisation.

  • Father’s Day is now celebrated globally, but not always in June.

  • The UK market spends nearly £1 billion each year on Father’s Day.

  • For me personally, this is my first Father’s Day as a father of two, and it’s made me value the day more than ever — not just for the socks, but for the recognition that being a dad is a pretty big deal.