Commemorating Father’s Day
How the Tradition, Untraditionally came to Be

Carol Fisher-Linn

   We always loved on our dads in June, but Father’s Day did not become official until 1972.   

   Here’s a fun (or funny) fact about the origins of Father’s Day – when a day to celebrate dads was brought up for discussion in Congress, the idea of celebrating fathers was a bit too effeminate for “manly” legislators since it reminded them of Mother’s Day, which was associated with flower and gift giving.  As one historian writes, they “scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving, or they derided the proliferation of such holidays as a commercial gimmick to sell more products—often paid for by the father himself.”

The idea of honoring our fathers changed in December 1907, when over three hundred coal miners died in Fairmont, West Virginia. It was, and remains, the worst mining accident in American history. A woman by the name of Grace Golden Clayton stepped in and suggested to her minister father that a service be held to honor all fathers, but most especially, those who had died. She had hoped that the idea would catch on and become an annual event. Not so, but in 1909 across the country in Spokane, Washington, a young woman who was raised (with five male siblings) by her widowed Civil War Veteran father lobbied for and convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA to set aside June 5th (her dad’s birthday) as a day to celebrate fathers. The idea came to her as she participated in a Mother’s Day celebration a month earlier. They agreed but chose the third Sunday in June instead. On that first Father’s Day, the young woman, Sonora Smart Dodd delivered gifts to handicapped dads, the city ministers devoted their homilies to fatherhood, and the YMCA boys wore fresh-cut roses in their lapels.

Even lacking today’s speed through social media, word got to Washington D.C. 4 years later in 1913 and the celebration of fathers became a priority for consideration as a national holiday. But … as is the M.O. (modus operandi) of our government, the bill did not pass.  So, in 1921, in lieu of an official holiday declaration, President Coolidge signed a Father’s Day resolution “to establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.” President Lyndon Johnson even took a stab at it and signed an executive order that the holiday be celebrated on the third Sunday in June and finally, 59 years after the idea emerged, Congress passed an act officially making Father’s Day a national holiday. The way to celebrate the holiday had changed from flowers and gifts for moms to doing things dads like to do … barbeques, riding bikes and four-wheelers in the country, hiking, tossing a football, going fishing or boating.

     With Father’s Day falling on June 16th this year it sits at the gateway to the summer season, with summer solstice around the corner on the 20th. With that in mind, it might be fun to camp, to catch and release fireflies, paddleboard, or to camp on the beach and star watch – you can find a sky map for June to take along on almanac.com.

    Living here in the Southern Tier of NYS, we have so many opportunities for a fun outdoor day with our dads. We are surrounded by ponds, streams, hiking and biking hills and paths at the Ellicottville Arboretum, Holiday Valley and HoliMont, places to paddleboard, climb and enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. Griffis Sculpture Park offers grand views and plenty of roaming/picnicking room amid giant sculptures that beg to be climbed, Allegany State Park is a summertime wonderland located next door to the always exciting Seneca Casino. I never tried it, but I hear axe throwing is a great way to release tension, have a lot of laughs and a good meal afterward. You can do that in Ellicottville. Now what’s more manly than that?

     In neighboring Chautauqua County there are beaches and lakes for fishing/boating (Chautauqua Lake, Findley Lake, Cassadaga Lake, Lake Erie), Audubon Nature Center, State Parks and Forests, lighthouse, museum and winery tours, art galleries, theaters (spend a day laughing with dad and Lucy), and the Amish Trail with their wood and leather shops (not to mention home-made baked goods and candies) which stretches throughout the region. Please bear in mind that Amish shops are closed on Sundays for worship, and it is improper to take their photos, so please honor their custom.

      No matter where you roam in our lush, green corner of the state, you will find shopping, eating (even pet-friendly places), sports and leisure activities to do with your favorite guy – your dad. Hey, if all else fails, go fly a kite! Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there.