Fathers’ Day was created by Sonora Smart Dodd whose own father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died. Dodd had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mothers’ Day, which had become a holiday in 1907.

Religious leaders supported the idea and had the first Fathers’ Day celebrated on June 19, 1910. She chose that date because it was the month that her father was born.

It wasn’t until 1972 that Fathers’ Day became a holiday recognized worldwide. Today Fathers’ Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. One custom that is practiced is wearing a red rose to indicate that one’s father is living or a white rose to indicate that he is deceased. More often, however, people recognize Fathers’ Day with a family gathering, an exchange of gifts, a barbecue, a trip to a sporting event, or some other acknowledgement of everything that fathers do for their families.

Those still at a loss as to what to do to celebrate the holiday may want to check out https://www.sftourismtips.com/fathers-day-in-san-francisco.html or https://www.womansday.com/life/g2988/fathers-day-activities/ for ideas.