The Origins of Father's Day

Way back in 1908 Anna Jarvis celebrated the first Mother's Day in West Virginia. The idea of establishing an official day to honor mothers was actually HER mother's idea. Mother's Day became recognized nationally in 1914 with a proclamation by President Wilson.

In 1909 in Spokane, Washington, Sonora Dodd heard her pastor speak about Mother's Day and decided that Fathers deserved their own day. She got the support of the local YMCA and was able to set the date of June 19th, 1910 as the first Father's Day. Members of the YMCA wore carnations to Mass and Dodd rode through the city in a carriage delivering gifts to shut-in fathers.

Even though the first celebration was a success, the path to get the day officially recognized was a long one that originally met with a lot of mockery.

In 1966 President Johnson declared the first national Father's Day to be celebrated the third Sunday of June. It wasn't until 1972 that President Nixon signed a law making the day a permanent recognition.

In honor of Father's Day we have some great gift ideas.

Coffee

What dad doesn't like a great cup of coffee in the morning? I've tried several of the Mystic Monk Coffee varieties and have yet to find one I didn't like. My personal favorites are the Hermit's Bold Blend and the Medium Decaf. Every purchase helps the monks build their new monastery in Cody, Wyoming.

Books

The books in the Amazing Grace series have been constantly selling for years. Amazing Grace for Fathers features a wonderful collection of inspirational stories that will encourage your dad to be the best father he can be.

Take a long walk with Fr. Pivonka as he hikes to the Shrine of St. James in Hiking the Camino.

Get closer to God while leaving worldly distractions behind.

See the rest of our Father's Day selection and get something more meaningful than a tie this year.

A gift certificate to Aquinas and More is a great catch-all when you really have no idea what to get.

Last Day! Win a Kindle and Catholic e-library.

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