Father’s Day: A Day that Almost Did Not Become a Day
By: Megan Lardie
June is the month we celebrate all the fathers and important men in our lives. What we celebrate today is very different from the first Father’s Day.
The origins of Father’s Day are not exactly clear. Many believe it began with Sonora Dodd, who came up with the idea after sitting in church on Mother’s Day and began to wonder why there was not a Father’s Day. She and her siblings were raised by her father because her mother died when Sonora was young. Others believe that it was Grace Clayton who had the idea as a way to honor the 250 men that were fathers that died in a coal mining accident in 1907 in West Virginia.
When the idea of celebrating Father’s Day every year was suggested, many men complained and did not approve of a day to give gifts to men. Others believed it was just a way for store owners to make money.
Even more were upset because any gifts that were bought were paid for with the father’s money, because at that time, many of the women stayed home to raise the children. During the 1920s – 30s, some people wanted to just combine Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and have a combined Parents’ Day to honor both parents.
Activists believed “both parents should be loved and respected together.” During World War II, there was another push from store owners saying that celebrating Father’s Day could be a way to honor the troops fighting in the war. They claimed that shopping helped support the war effort.
Over the next several decades, many presidents tried to get Father’s Day to become recognized as a holiday. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge believed that this day would help fathers and children have closer relationships. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers but did not make it public law.
It was not until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a permanent national holiday for the third Sunday in June. This traditional idea of Father’s Day began in the United States, but is celebrated all over the world.
Ireland and the United Kingdom as well as many other countries celebrate on the third Sunday of June. Some other countries recognize Father’s Day on a different day based on religious beliefs. Whatever you do to celebrate Father’s Day, take time to let all the important male role models in your life know how much you appreciate them!
Kids in the Kitchen
Sheet Tray Italian Sausage with Peppers, Onions, and Tomatoes
Ingredients:
4 Italian Sausages
½ lb. Sweet mini bell peppers
1 Large red onion (cut into chunks)
1 cup cherry tomatoes
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 lemon (cut into quarters)
½ cup store bought pesto
Directions:
Spray a foil lined sheet tray with cooking spray. Arrange the sausage, mini peppers, onion, cherry tomatoes and lemon on the sheet tray. Drizzle with olive oil. Turn your broiler on HIGH. Place the sheet tray 4-5 inches from the heating element and broil for 5-10 minutes, turning several times to brown evenly. Remove the sheet tray from the oven. Transfer the sausage and vegetables to a serving platter. Squeeze the warm lemon juice over the sausage and vegetables. Drizzle with the pesto and serve!
Literature Corner
How to be a Lion
by Ed Vere
This is a charming story about learning to be true to yourself and standing by a friend. Leonard is a lion and his best friend, Marianne, is a duck. They have a happy life together until some bullies come around and tell them it is not right for a lion and a duck to be friends. Leonard learns that it is important to be who he is and to be a good friend despite hurtful criticism. He learns to choose kindness over bullying and how just the right words can change the world. Ages 3-7, 32 pages.
Bud, Not Buddy
by Christopher Paul Curtis
How far would you go to find your father? Bud is a ten-year-old boy living in Flint, Michigan in an orphanage because his mother has died. In the middle of the Depression, times are hard and not many people want to adopt another mouth to feed. Bud decides he is going to Grand Rapids on his own to find the man he believes is his father. Nothing can stop him, not hunger, not fear, not even vampires! Read to find out if he ever finds the man he thinks is his father. Ages 9-12, 288 pages.
Lardie’s Laughs (Bad Dad Joke edition)
- Why shouldn’t you buy anything with Velcro on it?
- Because it is a total rip-off!
- Why did the stadium get so hot after the game?
- Because all the fans left!
Gab in Gaelic
I will pay for everything! = Iocfaidh mise don gach rud! (pron: uck-igg misha dun gock rud)
