Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

What is the history of Father's Day?

An American woman, Sonora Dodd, first had the idea for Father's Day whilst she was listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.

Her father, a Civil War veteran, had raised his six children alone after his wife had died during childbirth. Sonora wanted to tell her father how special he was and felt that there should be a special day to honour fathers and well as mothers.

Sonora's father was born in June and so the first Father's Day was celebrated on 19th June 1910 in Spokeane, Washington USA.

In 1972 American President Richard Nixon permanently established Father's Day as a holiday.

How do we celebrate Father's Day?
On Father's Day we say a special thank you to our dads for all the things that they do for us. We give cards and gifts, try to do good deeds especially for our dads and might even enjoy a special activity or outing together.

In 2009 we will celebrate Father's Day on Sunday 21st June.

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