Father’s Day originated in 1909 in Spokane, Washington when Sonora Smart Dodd heard a Mother’s Day sermon and thought a day for children to honor their fathers should be established. Sonora’s mother had died in childbirth, and she was raised by her father, Civil War veteran William Smart. Her idea for a national day languished for sometime till president Coolidge declared in 1924 that the country as a whole should celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June.
The idea of Father’s Day was not immediately welcomed by the intended honorees. News reports from the 1920s reflect a feeling that it was “hogwash”, or that it was just an effort to sell off those “Lindy” ties. It became apparent that the holiday was going to need some help. 1938 saw the formation of The National Council for the Promotion of Father’s Day. The council was comprised of leaders in the advertising industry, men’s retail apparel, and representatives of other businesses that make “merchandise suitable for gift’s on Father’s Day”.
The Council for the Promotion of Father’s Day finally began to see some success in their efforts to foster the commercial aspects of the holiday, but the majority of their success can be attributed to a country entering WWII. 1942 saw many houses of worship instituting special services for fathers who wanted to honor their soldier sons. It was also a time for children to honor their fathers who were fighting a war across the sea. The Council for the Promotion of Father’s Day couldn’t sell Father’s Day to America until America was ready to buy it. The continuing war, and then the returning veterans, created an environment where Father’s Day was accepted in it’s true spirit. Firmly established in the American conscience by 1950, presidential candidate Dwight Eisenhower used Father’s Day 1952 to announce his support for lowering the voting age to eighteen to reflect the responsibility laden on America’s young soldiers.
Today the Father’s Club of Oakland does what father’s do 365 days of the year, and that’s give. As a civic organization they have provided: three annual $1,000 college scholarships to graduating Oakland residents, holiday gifts to needy Oakland children, scoreboards and backboards for grade school gyms; acted as an annual Supporter of Safety Town and Project Graduation, and supplied trophies for children who participate in recreation sports. They have provided funding and labor to rebuild the Dogwood Hill baseball field, and recently donated the Field 6 scoreboard dedicated to Lorraine Murray. They also operate and manage the Rec Stand as part of the Oakland Sports Association. It’s not all work and no play for The Father’s Club. They organize pickup basketball, football and hockey games, and eat/sell a lot of food at the Town Carnival.
Just like other father’s around the country, fathers in Oakland will be receiving some standard gifts this Sunday. Occasionally there might be a gift that actually provides some extra joy and pleasure. One Oakland father of two recalls getting a hammock a few years back, and he sets it up religiously every summer season. This year, like most years, he doesn’t use it much himself; but as he was cleaning the yard and watching his two young children playing on the hammock, he commented, “It’s all good”.
The Oakland Journal encourages our readers to “Think Local” for Father’s Day. There are numerous shops in town that have a variety of gifts, and “Think Local” shows responsible thinking that would make any father proud.