A ritual is any act carried out by an individual or group that has a symbolic value based on tradition or religion. Holidays and celebrations that we observe every year are examples of rituals. So have you ever wondered how Father’s Day became a ritual that we celebrate every June?
A special day was first proposed in 1909 by a Mrs. John Dodd who wanted to honor her father. William Smart was a civil war veteran and a single father who raised six children on a farm in the eastern part of Washington state (holidays.net, 2009). Mrs. Dodd realized after she grew up the sacrifices and courage that it had taken from her father to accomplish this task.
According to Holidays.net (2009), “The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington.” A presidential proclamation was signed by Lyndon Johnson in 1966 that officially declared the 3rd Sunday in June as Father’s Day.
We all have our special ways that we honor our dad’s on this day to let them know how much we love them and appreciate them but this day isn’t just for them but for every man who at times acts as a father figure to us or to someone else.
Reference:
History of Father’s Day (2009). Retrieved June 1, 2009, from http://www.holidays.net/father/story.htm
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Melinda,
ReplyDeleteGreat job with your post on Father's Day. This class has really taught me alot about History. I never knew a woman thought of Father's Day to honor her Dad. I always practiced rituals and celebrate holidays without a thought to how they originated. Popular Culture inlightened me everytime I read a different module on how important History really is. I never really studied or liked History but when you incorporate different artifacts, icons and practices into day to day activities it's interesting to read how Historians shaped our beliefs today. Now I'm interested in who developed Mothers Day and why.
Perfect timing on your post. I had no idea that Father's Day was a relativly recent addition as a "holiday." It's interesting how the rituals we celebrate today have originated. I wonder how holidays or special days like Father's Day will be celebrated in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post. I really never knew the history behind father's day.
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