ORIGIN OF FATHER'S DAY.

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
18th June, 2023.

Today is a day set aside to honour fathers all over the world. But how many people really know the origin of the celebration? Father's Day celebration is traced to an accident that occured in a coal mine in Virginia, United States of America in 1907. In that accident, about 385 men lost their lives. The following year, a woman from Washington who was still upset by the ghastly accident organized a movement that sought to establish a day to honour the accident victims, majority of whom were fathers. 'If women were honoured by having Mother's Day, why shouldn't similar gesture be extended to the men?' She queried. As a result of this reasoning, a Church in West Virginia organized a ceremony to honour victims of the accident (men). In 1910, Washington made history by becoming the first state or place in the world to recognize Father's Day. In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation designating the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. After this declaration, other countries of the world have joined in celebrating Father's Day.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!