The third
Sunday of June is generally observed as Father's
Day throughout the United States. Although an
isolated church service in Fairmont, West
Virginia, honored fathers in July 1908 at the
suggestion of Jessica ("Baba") Clinton
Clayton, it is Sonora Louise Smart Dodd of
Spokane, Washington who is most frequently
credited with originating - in 1909 - the idea for
a Father's Day observance that spread far beyond
the confines of her own church. Her inspiration
was her own father, William Smart, a Civil War
veteran who had been widowed when his daughter and
five sons were very young. Realization of the
difficulties he had, and appreciation for his
constant devotion to his family sparked Mrs.
Dodd's desire to honor all fathers.
